A former rugby professional has embarked on a fresh career path away from the pitch.

Matt Dwyer, who hails from Newport, has become client relationship manager at Acorn by Synergie, beginning a new phase in a career already spanning professional athletics, military duty, and the building trade.

Mr Dwyer said the past few weeks had been excellent. He noted it differed considerably from his usual routine, that he was picking up plenty of new knowledge and gradually settling in, and that everything was progressing smoothly.

Mr Dwyer represented Worcester Warriors, Bridgend RFC, Ospreys, Merthyr RFC, and Newport RFC throughout his rugby career, as well as the Barbarians and World XV sides.

In addition to his sporting accomplishments, he served as a sergeant with the Welsh Guards and skippered both the Army rugby side and the Combined Services outfit.

Mr Dwyer carries more than ten years of construction sector expertise into his fresh appointment, having operated his own landscaping enterprise and held roles at EcoVigour in Chepstow and Kingsley Build.

Mr Dwyer said many former servicemen and women gravitate towards construction because the work is physical and practical, and those from military backgrounds readily follow structured guidance. He noted the role shares similarities with field work, and that transitioning from a sports and operational environment into an office setting represented a significant shift, though he was spending considerable time out meeting clients, which suited him well.

In this role, Mr Dwyer will concentrate on cultivating and sustaining connections with customers throughout the construction industry.

Marc Jones, operations director at Acorn by Synergie, said they were extremely pleased to have Matt join the group. He noted Matt had started with great energy, bringing tremendous dedication, extensive building trade knowledge, and a talent for developing solid rapport with individuals from varied walks of life.