IT'S been over two decades since Chris Budgen first pitched up in Welsh club rugby but the 44-year-old tighthead insists "the candle is still burning" for front row tussles.

The New Zealander is still turning out in the Principality Premiership for Bedwas, returning to Gwent after playing for Newbridge in 1996.

Budgen went on to become a fans' favourite at Northampton and Exeter, his no-nonsense approach meaning he was a valuable member of the Chiefs' squad as they rose to the Aviva Premiership before he finished as a rugby pro at the age of 40 to concentrate on his army career with the Royal Welsh.

Based in Tidworth, he played and coached with Marlborough and then earlier this season his Army teammate James S Dixon mentioned about the possibility of joining him at Bedwas.

"I thought I'd chuck my name in the hat," said Budgen, who has played eight games since his January debut against Cross Keys and scored against Bridgend in Saturday's Foster's Challenge Cup semi-final win.

"I started at Newbridge when I moved here from New Zealand and always said it would be nice to come back to Wales to finish off. I got the opportunity and took it.

"The candle is still burning and I enjoy it; when that changes I'll hang the boots up but I am competitive and like the old school stuff in Welsh rugby. I've still got the hunger."

The 44-year-old Budgen has to approach the game in a slightly different manner when he was 23 and locking horns with Newport, Sale, Montferrand, Agen and Glasgow in European competition for 'Bridge.

"I still have to put the hard work in but I've got to ready my body a bit more, recovery takes longer than the old days when I could bounce back and play another game straight away," he said.

"I have to train a bit smarter and be a lot more careful with what I eat… and stay away from the old KFC on the road!"

The seasoned campaigner isn't the only Budgen at Bridge Field – his teenage son Dylan, a fellow front rower, plays for the youth side and made a first team debut against Cross Keys in the Foster's Challenge Cup.

"He wants to play at a good level and Welsh rugby is a good place for him to learn. One of my goals is to play a big game with him in the Premiership," said Budgen.

The veteran started in the Challenge Cup but is largely playing second fiddle to the in-form Matthew Pettit, a relative whippersnapper at the age of 31.

"I am on the bench a bit and 'Spot' (head coach Steve Law) is happy with what I am doing so I'll just keep turning up and hopefully getting picked," said Budgen.

"I am enjoying playing my part and Bedwas might not have the biggest finances like the Merthyrs of the league but there's a good team ethos.

"The boys have a lot of fun taking the mickey out of each other in the WhatsApp group and it's a great team and a great club."

Bedwas return to Premiership action on Saturday when they make the trip north to face Tier One play-off rivals RGC 1404 (kick-off 1pm).