While most professional rugby players are focused on perfecting their scrum technique, Dragons prop Rodrigo Martinez has been busy passing the bar. The 27-year-old Argentine international is not just a formidable force in the front row; he's also a newly qualified lawyer, having completed six years of legal studies while playing at the highest level.

This unique dual career is hitting a thrilling peak as Martinez prepares for a crucial European clash. He was instrumental in the Dragons' stunning away victory over Stade Francais, a career highlight that secured a Challenge Cup quarter-final berth against Zebre this Saturday. It's the culmination of a whirlwind season where Martinez has balanced 15 appearances on the pitch with becoming a father and finally earning his law degree.

"I'm now a qualified lawyer after almost six years," Martinez revealed. "It was online, and I tried to do at least one hour a day... I just built the habit." This discipline served him well during a challenging period when he was temporarily separated from his newborn son, Otto, using his studies to stay focused. Now, with his family in Wales, his attention is fully on the rugby pitch, where he's been a quietly excellent addition to the Dragons' squad.

Martinez's journey to Newport was unconventional. After stints with Wasps and London Irish were cut short by both clubs' financial collapses, he found a home in Wales. The three-times capped Puma has embraced the challenge of building a winning culture at the region. For now, the courtroom can wait. This weekend, his legal mind is solely dedicated to one objective: bending the laws of physics at the scrum to help the Dragons hunt European glory.