Prop Idol: Student has pre-season to prove himself with Bristol Rugby

We all know it's not easy to become a professional sportsman, it often often involves being spotted by a club at a young age before years of hard work and training with their academy in the hope of earning a contract.

But for one player in the region things have followed a slightly different route, one which involves Clevedon, Clifton and Bristol Rugby, via a fish and chip shop.

Who remembers Pop Idol? The hit ITV Show based on uncovering hidden talent? Well at Bristol Rugby something similar is underway, think of it as Prop Idol.

Because, amongst the 40 or so professionals who are used to training five days a week lies a student from UWE who has the pre-season to prove his potential.

25 year old Alex Giltrow has played at Clevedon and Clifton Rugby and now has his sights one earning a professional contract with Bristol after linking up with the squad two weeks ago.

The opportunity came about through head Coach Pat Lam who is keen to see players from Bristol representing the city's rugby club:

As well as training full time, Alex must also learn the different moves, analyse his performances and change his diet - something which ironically helped him to this point in his career. Rumour has it (Alex will neither confirm or deny the story but did laugh very loudly when asked) that he was picked up by Clifton Rugby when the club director spotted the sizeable prop coming out of a fish and chip shop:

Someone with a little more experience is Jordan Crane. Now in his 14th pre-season he's been impressed by what's he seen and was even able to offer some words of advice:

And if he can stay of the fish and chips who knows where Alex's journey will finish. With Bristol targeting promotion back to the Premiership - Prop Idol could have a fairytale ending. You can watch the full report below or on at ITV West Country at 6pm tonight (Wednesday 26th July.)