Isaac Marsh: From Gloucester to Cardiff Met – chasing the next chapter

By Peter Ryan

“I heard life is what passes when you’re too busy living.” The opening line of Zach Bryan’s “Late July” makes you stop and think.

Life goes by in the blink of an eye. You have to make the most of it. It’s all about following your dreams and doing something you love.

For Isaac Marsh, rugby is his passion; he has already achieved a tremendous amount in the sport, from running out in the English PREM to becoming a well-known social media presence.

There is no doubt that Marsh is looking to leave his mark on rugby.

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The start

“Rugby has been more than just a sport for me; it’s shaped who I am,” Marsh says. “It’s given me structure, discipline, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

“The friendships and bonds you create through the game are unlike anything else, and it’s taught me so many life lessons about resilience, teamwork, and accountability that carry far beyond the pitch.”

Rugby runs through Marsh’s story like a heartbeat, giving purpose and a precise aim.

Every story has to start somewhere, and for him, that was in Old Patesians RFC in Cheltenham, after learning his craft at the local rugby club, the infamous Hartpury College.

Throughout his time with the institution, they won the AASE national championship twice. Marsh played with an abundance of quality operators, including Welsh superstar Louis Rees-Zammit.

Marsh forged a steadfast foundation, which led to opportunities with Gloucester.

Gloucester

At only 18, he signed his first senior academy contract, taking his first step into the professional arena.

Marsh made his Prem debut against Harlequins, coming off the bench. His work with the club earned him a contract renewal in 2019.

He ultimately parted ways with the club in 2023. He talks about what it was like to play in the pinnacle of the English game.

“It all happened pretty quickly, a couple of injuries, a bit of luck & I found myself on the bench to play against Harlequins, the season they won the Premiership,” he explained. “Playing against Marcus Smith, Danny Care, Alex Dombrant, and Joe Marler.

“I got subbed on for the last 15 minutes, and my opposite number was Andre Esterhuizen. I think it was fair to say that it was a huge step up, but also a real privilege.

“The pace of the game was nothing like I ever imagined. Everything is done at a million miles an hour; you barely have time to think. I felt like I was running around like a headless chicken.

“We lost that game, but I was just so happy to get on. Even if I had just got 30 seconds to get my Premiership debut, no one can ever take that away from me.”

Regrets

When asked about his time at Gloucester, Marsh was candid and open.

“I look back on my time at Gloucester really positively, but slightly regretful,“ Marsh adds. “I wish I had appreciated it more at the time.

“I was in the senior academy, but if I’m honest, I spent the whole time wishing I were a senior player or getting more game time. “

“Don’t get me wrong, I worked really hard, but I was never just present. I have never been in an environment where I learned as much as I did.

“I was training with players like Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Santiago Carreras, Jonny May, to name a few.

“I would be hooked on every word they said, trying to learn as much as I could.

“Dom Waldouck & Tim Taylor, in particular, are some of the best coaches I have ever been coached by.

“Those players and coaches will have a significant impact on the way I see rugby for the rest of my life.

“It was a big learning curve, and I took so much from being in a professional setup like that.

“The exposure to that level of rugby, the coaching, and the culture around the club gave me experiences that I’ll carry with me throughout my career.”

Looking for his next chapter, Marsh made the move to Cardiff Met.

Cardiff Met

Renowned for its rugby heritage, Cardiff Met felt like the natural stage for Marsh to continue his journey.

It is where he has been able to compete in BUCS Super Rugby. He has been a part of some big contests.

Cardiff Met’s upset over Bath Uni will linger long in the players’ minds. That day, Marsh came off the bench as the side fought back for a quarter-final victory.

More recently, he played at the Arms Park, where Cardiff Met bested Cardiff University. Marsh discussed the impact Cardiff Met has had on him.

“Cardiff Met has been massive for me, both on and off the field,” he says. “The standard of rugby there is exceptionally high; if you want to develop as a rugby player, it’s probably one of the best environments you can find outside of the professional game.

“There are over 500 rugby players at the club, and everyone gets an opportunity to train, develop, and get regular minutes.

“The top 120 players or so get access to a full-time preseason that mimics a professional environment.

“Then, in-season, the top 60 or so players get access to three or four gym sessions a week in a world-class high-performance centre, regular analysis, psychology, and three or four rugby sessions throughout the week – and obviously, a high level of rugby to play in either BUCS Super Rugby or the Welsh Premiership.

“There aren’t many environments that can say their 2nd team plays in the Welsh Premiership.

“The support network, from coaches to teammates, has been incredible. They’ve also been really supportive with Kaizen Rugby and all the content I’ve done.

“Not many high-performance environments would allow that much insight or freedom with the content I put out.”

Future ambitions

Kaizen Rugby has surpassed 40,000 followers and has gained significant recognition in the rugby world. Marsh talks about his future ambitions.

“The main goal right now is to become a professional rugby player – not because I feel like I have something to prove, but because that’s just what I want to be doing every day,” Marsh concludes.

“It’s what I enjoy most, and I’d love to go full-time and make it my career. I want to continue developing, testing myself at higher levels, and hopefully build a long-term career in the game.

“At the same time, I want to make sure I’m setting myself up off the pitch as well, so that I’ve got balance and a future beyond rugby.

“I have Kaizen Rugby, which is a business I’ve created where I’m effectively an online personal trainer for rugby players, but it also blends social media content and rugby coaching too.

“My main long-term goal is to become a high-level rugby coach. I love the game, I love coaching it, and I love helping others realise their potential and improve.

“I really enjoy the pressure that comes with winning or losing at a high level – the constant need to keep improving, day by day, week by week, season by season.”

The goal is clear: to have a rugby career. Marsh carries with balance and purpose. His journey reminds us that ambition means little without the drive to chase it.

READ MORE: A Life in Rugby: Jamie Bhatti’s journey of heart and hard work