Rugby star in sea rescue

Jonathan Davies rushed to save the two girls

Rugby star Jonathan Davies said he did not think twice about racing into a dangerous tide to rescue two sisters who were drifting out to sea in a rubber ring.

The 37-year-old former British Lions and Wales player claimed he did what anyone else would have done.

He was on holiday with his three young children, aged 12, seven and five when the drama unfolded on the beach at Tresaith, west Wales.

I just did what anyone would have done in the same situation

Jonathan Davies

"I was just coming out of the water with my son's surfboard when I saw a woman on the water's edge looking a bit panicked.

"She asked me if I could get her two little girls who were drifting out to sea," said Mr Davies, who is now a sports commentator with the BBC.

"I managed to swim out to them and they were on a semi-deflated rubber ring.

"It was tiring because the tide was going out, but I got to them in time.

"They were crying and quite upset, so it was good to get them back to their mother.

"I just did what anyone would have done in the same situation. I didn't think twice about it. I have young children of my own."

'You're a hero'

In the panic the relieved mother did not have a chance to thank the former rugby star, but she did leave a postcard in a local shop.

The message said: "Thank you. My girls think you are a hero. From Tracey (Mum), Katie and Rhiannon."

Mr Davies said: "It was very touching that she left the message. But I did find it funny that she addressed it to the `surfer' who helped her daughters.

"I can't surf even though I tried. I was only taking the surfboard out of the water for my son."

Mr Davies's wife, Karen, died of cancer in 1997 and since then he has brought his three children up alone at their home in Cardiff.