RENAISSANCE man Aled Brew has revealed that he went through the “darkest time” of his career before leaving Newport Gwent Dragons to join Aviva Premiership giants Bath.

The nine-cap Wales winger is loving life the other side of the River Severn, but the same certainly couldn’t be said during his third spell at Rodney Parade.

Brew had already been a member of the Dragons’ squad on two separate occasions when he re-joined the region from Biarritz in the summer of 2014.

But he was unable to nail down a regular place in the starting XV and ended up playing just 12 times before ending his three-year contract a season early.

After impressing on trial with Bath last autumn, the Cardiff-born 30-year-old signed a deal to keep him at the Rec until the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

However, looking back on his most recent Dragons stint, Brew told the Bath Chronicle: “A year ago was probably the darkest time of my career.

“I was nowhere near being in a mindset where I could think about where I would possibly be in the future because of the lack of game time I was having.

“I never thought about retiring, but I started questioning my ability.”

He added: “I was never in contention to play for the Dragons. I was just a body there.

“I was completely out of the mix.”

Luckily, an encounter with former Dragons chief Darren Edwards, now Bath backs and skills coach, paved the way for Brew’s move to the English game.

“Our kids play under-11s against each other, for Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd and Rhiwbina,” added Brew.

“We were at a game and he mentioned that Bath were short on back three players.

“Fair play, he kept me in mind and I’m thankful because I don’t think Todd (Blackadder) or Tabs (Matson) would have known who I was when they first arrived last summer.

“Darren put my name in the mix and the rest is history.”

Bath director of rugby Blackadder and head coach Matson have obviously liked what they’ve seen from the Welshman, with Brew impressing alongside the likes of Taulupe Faletau and Luke Charteris.

“Coming to Bath has given me a new lease of life and I’m loving being at the club and being involved,” added Brew.

“The fact I hadn’t played much rugby for three years has probably added a few seasons onto my career.

“A year ago, I definitely wouldn’t have thought I would be in the position I am now.

“I couldn’t have wished for a better club to have stumbled upon.”