From Franck Mesnel and Serge Blanco to Phil Vickery – there has been a long history of rugby players venturing into the world of fashion.
Eden Park, Serge Blanco 15 and Raging Bull are all well established brands, and now Gloucester scrum-half Dan Robson hopes to do the same with Finite Apparel.
The 22-year-old took over the company with his partner Elizabeth Jagg and re-launched at the end of last year, and it is proving a welcome distraction from the day-to-day rigours of professional rugby.
Robson said: "My partner Elizabeth and I had an opportunity to take over a business. We took the name and the basis of it and made it our own.
"We had always spoken about this type of thing and when the opportunity came up we knew we had to take it because we would regret it if we didn't.
"It's a good getaway from rugby, it's totally different and we both really enjoy it and it's nice to keep busy."
Robson has begun with a limited variety of products but sales have gone well. The duo have focussed on producing unique and eye-catching designs which are made as limited edition prints.
The designs are often thought-provoking, perhaps controversial at times, and the aim was to produce something original.
He said: "We were passionate about quality and not quantity and wanted that to come across in our limited edition items. You're not going to wear one and then see everyone wearing it.
"The clever play on words and distinct branding made it a statement piece not just an item, a conversation starter. That was hugely important to us."
Having family connections previously high up in the management of London department store Harvey Nichols also helps
But the venture has not come without its obstacles and Robson admits it has been a major learning curve, but he knows all about the importance of having something outside of rugby.
A study published this week found injuries in rugby are still increasing – concussion up by a staggering 59 per cent but largely due to greater awareness.
He said: "We started it up a few months ago, we've both been interested in fashion and always enjoyed it.
"It's difficult and we both underestimated how hard it would be and we've learnt a lot already. There's still a lot more to learn but we're looking forward to it and going in the right direction.
"We underestimated the size of our storage room with all the boxes coming in before Christmas and we've only just managed to unpack it all.
"Getting the brand out there is the hardest thing, because we're only online it's hard to put across the quality aspect of it. So the more people we get in it and the more feedback on the quality the better it helps massively.
"I love the design part, we have a really good designer and sit down and talk about ideas and things, and it's so refreshing outside of rugby.
"It's something I enjoy and have always been interested in. It's so important to have things going on outside of the game and it's something I'm not too bad at. I can let loose and it's interesting to see the feedback and what works and doesn't."
Never the type to turn down a freebie, the rugby fraternity have been a big help in spreading the word and both Kingsholm and Twitter have been awash with players wearing Finite Apparell.
And Robson, who will join Wasps in the summer, is grateful for all of the support he has received.
He added: "Over the last few weeks have been good and we've shifted a lot. The boys don't turn down a freebie and as long as they're wearing it I don't mind. The rugby aspect helps massively, especially me playing in the age-grades which means I can source friends at other clubs."
