Brisbane native Andrew Farley has been playing rugby since he was a child but it was a chance phone call that would bring him to Ireland to become captain of the Connacht Rugby team.

Andrew has always had a passion for rugby. From the age of seven, he began training in the sport and says that he "only went to school so he could play with the rugby team". After winning a number of honours during his school career, he went to play with Australian under 21 and the Queensland Reds before being spotted by John Connolly, who was coaching Swansea at the time. Andrew then left Australia and moved to Swansea, until a chance phone call from Connacht's coach sealed his fate.

"Swansea were playing Connacht and the manager saw me play and expressed some interest, so I decided to come to Ireland," says Andrew.

Andrew then moved to Galway and has now captained Connacht for four seasons. He says that he settled into Ireland very easily as he and his Connacht teammates are very alike.

"There isn't a lot of difference between rugby players in Australia and rugby players here. We all enjoy going out and socialising as well as being competitive and having a common interest. As soon as I started training with the guys, I had 30 new friends, so that helped a lot and the weather in Swansea had softened me up so the rain wasn't too bad either!" he says.

The routine of a professional rugby player is a very busy one. Andrew and his teammates train six or seven days a week, using a combination of gym and pitch training to prepare for games. Although he loves the game, Andrew admits that it can be difficult to get a break.

"It is always on your mind. You have to be getting good rest and staying off the drink. Even if you do go out for a beer, you have to make sure you are back in time to get your rest before the next training session. Because rugby is so physically demanding, you simply can't perform if you haven't been resting and building up properly," he says.

As Andrew's family are all in the Southern Hemisphere, his hectic schedule also means he doesn't see them that often, although he says that he has gotten used to this since his move.

"I found it very hard when I moved over first but it gets easier. I still miss my mum and dad and I have two brothers, one in Sydney and one in London, but I talk to them on the phone all the time, so it's not too bad."

Reflecting on his time with the team, Andrew says they have enjoyed some good years but that the ultimate goal is to take part in the Heineken Cup. While the current season is "in the balance" at the moment, Andrew says he is optimistic that this may be their year.