Incoming flanker Thomas Young has spoken about his impending move to Cardiff as he prepares to return to the international stage.
The Wasps star will join the Blue and Blacks in the summer and as a result, Wayne Pivac was given permission to select him in the Autumn Nations Series squad.
Now, Young will make his first international appearances since the 2019 Six Nations, as Wales take on Fiji at the Principality Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking of his return, Young said: “It’s probably one of the reasons why I’ve decided to come home. A month ago I probably thought it wasn’t on the cards.
“It’s about having no regrets, I suppose. Everyone says it, that everyone wants to play for their country growing up. I knew staying in England I couldn’t do that.
“I’m not stupid. I know the calibre of players that are in Wales and the competition, especially in the back row. A month ago, I didn’t think that was on the cards, so I suppose it’s up to me now to try and take my opportunity.
“I am really excited about it and I just want to make sure that I take the opportunity as best I can.”
Young lines up in a back-row alongside Ellis Jenkins, who captains the side in just his second international appearance since returning from an injury absence of more than two years.
The electric flanker is acutely aware of the competition for places both in the red of Wales, and next season blue and black of Wales, but he is determined to take his opportunity.
He continued: “I am aware of the circumstances I am in and that I’ve got to play well. I suppose competition drives everyone on. We are all aware that we’ve got to play well.
“The plusses are that we are all (Young, Jenkins and Taine Basham) capable of playing with the ball in hand and turning ball over.
“We are aware of what Fiji bring and physicality-wise we are going to have to match them, but obviously try and take our game to them.”
It will be the first time Young has played at the Principality Stadium, with his three previous caps all coming on the road, and he is relishing the occasion.
He added: “I think there will be a fair crowd going there. I have never played at home. I haven’t been in the stadium at all, no club rugby, nothing. So it’s the first one there for me.”
“I have been a mascot there, on my dad’s 50th. The three of us were there (Thomas, Owen and Lewis Young). I was about nine, I think. That’s probably my earliest memory.
“Everyone says how good it is to play there and just like the atmosphere around. That sticks in the memory for sure, just how noisy it was.
“I have watched a few games, so I am aware of what the atmosphere is like. But playing-wise, nothing.”