Seb Davies admits he's had an "unbelievable" few months to his career, after celebrating his new Cardiff Blues contract and being called-up for Wales' autumn test series this week.
The 21-year-old forward also won his first international cap over the summer, when he faced Tonga and Samoa, and has established himself in Danny Wilson’s side during the early stages of the season.
Davies could potentially face three of the biggest international sides in world rugby, with Warren Gatland’s side set to welcome New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Georgia to the Principality Stadium next month.
Cardiff-born Davies is delighted with the call-up, but insists he must keep working hard in order to make the most out of these opportunities.
“It’s been a quite strange few months from the call-up over the summer, to having a good run of games at Cardiff Blues, then being offered a new contract and obviously getting into the Wales set-up again. It’s been unbelievable,” said Davies.
“I found out over e-mail, which we had at 10.55am, and they announced the squad at 11, so I had a quick look.
“I was just getting on with the day, not thinking too much about it at all - if I was to get the call-up then fantastic, if not then I’d just keep working hard.
“There’s a few other young boys in there, like Adam Beard who I came through the ranks with, which is quite good.
“There’s a lot of the experienced boys that I’ve never met, so it should be good. There’s a lot to learn from them and they’ve been around for a long time so it’s a chance to learn a bit more.
“It’s a hard career, so I’m working hard but also just enjoying it at the moment and taking things as they come. Sometimes you only get one chance and you’ve got to take it, and I feel at the moment that I’m doing that.
“It’s quite surreal and I still don’t believe it. But if I do get a chance, I’ve just got to go for it.
“I’ve got a group chat with the boys from back home, who I was in school with at Ysgol Glantaf. They were all saying well done but still bringing me down to earth and giving me stick!
“Being a centre growing up, Sonny Bill Williams was my idol. I loved watching him play. Nakarawa is another one, because he looks to offload a lot and is another good player.
“The All Blacks are the best team with skills across the board so it’s the way that rugby is going, with a big focus on skills so hopefully I can put mine into use.”
Davies is also delighted to have put pen-to-paper to extend his stay at Cardiff Arms Park, but insists focus now turns to Saturday’s derby visit to Llanelli to take on defending Guinness PRO14 champions, Scarlets.
Davies said: “I had a couple of options come through, but this is my home club, all my good mates are here and I’ve also come through the ranks here so ultimately it was a quite easy decision.
“A lot of the boys coming through I’ve played at 18s and 20s level with and I feel we’re building this year, have a strong squad and will be a really good team for the next few years, so it’s onwards and upwards.
“It’s another big challenge for us on Saturday. They’re a really good team who attack flat and we’ll have to managed that with our defence by really getting off the line and putting pressure on their half backs.”