Manon Johnes says her spell on the sidelines with an injury has given her a renewed appreciation for the Wales jersey.
The Cardiff Blues and Wales back row was sidelined earlier this season with a leg injury.
But the reigning Cardiff Blues Women Player of the Year is set for her first international start of the year on Sunday, having been recalled into the back row as Wales Women take on Ireland in Donnybrook.
Johnes believes her side showed promise in the opening weekend defeat to Italy, where she featured as a replacement, and is looking forward to coming up against Ireland in Dublin.
“I’m feeling a lot better than I did back in the autumn, as I could barely walk back then,” said the Welsh international.
“I’m just glad to be back and enjoying my rugby once again.
“I played some club rugby before the Six Nations and I feel like I’m getting back into the full swing of things.
“It means a lot. Of course, it means a lot anyway but the injury puts it into perspective more because you realise how grateful you are.
“You live in the moment a lot when you play rugby and take it game by game.
“But when you’re out for a while, it’s put into perspective more and you do appreciate the shirt more when you don’t get it.
“Ireland won’t be the easiest place to go but I’m grateful for the opportunity and they’re an exciting team to be playing against.
“We played against them in a training match a couple of weeks ago and that was enjoyable to be involved in. Hopefully it will be the same again.
“It was frustrating against Italy because we showed how threatening we can be in attack and with the ball, but it’s a question of keep hold of possession for longer so we can transfer that pressure into more tries.
“We spent a lot less time than them in the opposition 22 but still managed to transfer those opportunities to try.
“The more we can do that, the higher the points we can get.”
Johnes is one of two changes made for the trip to Donnybrook, as Alisha Butchers also slots into the back row.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast, Johnes also discussed the competition within the back row unit and how it drives the standards up within the squad.
The 19-year-old added: “There’s a lot of competition in the squad but that’s only healthy for a squad. Everyone there could definitely have the starting jersey.
“We’re driving each other’s standards up and it can only make a squad better.
“As hard as it is personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way because you’re only driving your own standards up.
“I enjoy it because you’re there doing extras after training and focusing on the little details that you might not otherwise.
"You don’t take the jersey for granted in any way.”
The former Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf pupil will be studying Geography at Oxford University next year, and she’s looking forward for the opportunity to develop both academically and on the rugby pitch.
Johnes said: “It’s exciting and it’s a lot to think about!
“With rugby you focus on the moment and take it game-by-game and you don’t look into the future that much.
“I haven’t thought about it too much. It won’t be fun travelling from Oxford to Cardiff every week, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m excited for the opportunities that will come my way next year.
“I’ll be studying Geography. I’m into my volcanoes and immigration and stuff like that so I’m excited to further that as well as my rugby.
“I’m looking forward to the Women’s Varsity match. It’s televised as well, which gives great exposure to the women’s game.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to earn my way into that match and it would be good.
“I’ve been in contact with them already, and they seem to be really supportive of the sporting system and hopefully I get to play in that match.
“Luckily it’s in December, and not in the international window.
“My car will be my second home by the end of the year! The terms are shorter so it should work out ok, but it will be intense.
“You can’t look at it at a burden, but look at it as an opportunity. Yes it might be stressful but a lot of the other girls in the squad are also juggling their rugby with university.
“I’m only 19 but I might only get these opportunities once. You have to take it with both hands.
“I’m playing for my country and going to an amazing university, so I’m very excited.”