SCARLET'S player Samson Lee has said he is "proud" to be the first member of the travelling community to play international rugby following controversial comments made during the Six Nations.
Samson, from Llanelli, has spoken out about his pride for his heritage after England player Joe Marler called him "gypsy boy" on the pitch.
Marler's slur during England's victory over Wales at Twickenham sparked a public outcry and a Six Nations investigation that ultimately resulted in no sanction.
However, Marler could still face a ban after World Rugby stepped in following the decision.
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Speaking in the matchday programme ahead of the Wales v Italy game, Lee said: "There aren't many travellers who play rugby. Most of the family take up boxing. I'm the first traveller to play international rugby and I'm very proud of that.
"I've got about 60 cousins and 12 or more come to see me playing for Scarlets or Wales. The younger are ones are starting to take more of an interest in rugby, rather than boxing.
"If I'm not playing rugby, I'm in my element in the field. I love going ferreting. When the season comes in the autumn, there are lots of rabbits all over the place.
"I'm very close to my family - I see them almost every day. I go back to Pembrokeshire to see my grandmother and my cousins and my nephews. Mum is coming from area Kilgetty in Pembrokeshire and dad is from Llanelli.
"Llanelli is where I was brought up and I went to Bynea and Coedcae schools."
Joe Marler has since apologised to Samson.
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