Seb Davies has admitted his disbelief at being named in Wales' starting line-up for Friday's test against Tonga at Eden Park.
The uncapped forward, who made his Cardiff Blues debut against Scarlets in 2014, lines up alongside regional teammates Josh Navidi and Kristian Dacey in the Welsh pack.
The 21-year-old is raring to go at Auckland, and is eager to test himself on the international stage.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was picked to start,” said Davies.
“I just stared at my name on the board and tried to take it all in. The feeling is hard to describe.
“I was really shocked when I found out I was in the Wales training squad. I haven’t played many games for the Blues, so I wasn’t expecting it at all. Now this.
“I’m just really excited. It’s a great honour to play for your country and I just can’t wait to get out there and get stuck in.
“I’m not nervous at the moment, but I’m guessing I will be soon and on the day of the game.
“It’s a massive step-up compared to regional rugby, but I’m looking forward to testing myself at that level.
“I never thought I would get to play for Wales this early. Running out with the boys will be emotional. My mother and father are already here and I’m going to meet them later on.”
Davies, who stands at 6’6” tall, will line up in the second row alongside former Cardiff Blues academy member, Cory Hill.
The former Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf pupil is also able to play in the back row, but revealed that his former coach at Coleg y Cymoedd, Clive Jones, was the one who shifted him into the pack.
“I’ve got pretty good skills and offloading and carrying abilities.
“I’ll just be looking to carry hard and get over the gain line and then offload. That could come in handy against Tonga.
“It might be an open game and there are a lot of dangerous runners on both sides. Hopefully I can come into play.
“It’s going to be physical and fast. As long as we keep the ball moving and keep the tempo high, we should be OK.
“Clive Jones is the one who moved me to second row and he’s played a big part.
“He is the coach for Coleg y Cymoedd. I used to play in the centre, but when I moved there he chucked me into the second row quite early on.
“I didn’t go there to play rugby actually, I went there to do Btech Sport, but rugby quickly took over.
“I could play anywhere in the back-line, 10, 12, 13,15. I moved to second row when I was 17 or 18 and the rest is history.”