Cam Winnett admits he is still pinching himself after his “unbelievable” Six Nations experience with Wales.
The young full-back had started just three games for Cardiff Rugby before this season, but ended up starting all five games in the Championship.
He was on the field for all but four minutes of the campaign and emerged as one of the main Welsh plusses, making the fourth-most metres (285) of any player in the tournament and demonstrating his solidity under the high ball.
“I am definitely still pinching myself at what has happened,” said the 21-year-old.
“If you had told me where I would be right now at the start of the season, I wouldn't have believed you.
“My target back then was to play for Cardiff, get some experience with them and go on from there.
“So to play for Wales has been unbelievable. It's been a dream come true, to be honest.”
Winnett made his Test debut in the Six Nations opener against Scotland at the Principality Stadium.
“My parents and all my family were right in front of me for the anthem,” he said.
“It was quite emotional singing that anthem in front of them. It was really good. I wouldn't be where I am right now without my family.”
What stood out from Winnett's performances was just how calm and unfazed he was, despite being such a rookie.
“When I am on the pitch, nothing around me affects me. I don't really notice it,” he explains.
“But I remember against Scotland, Rio Dyer scored in the corner and the roar from the crowd was absolutely nuts. You kind of think ‘What has just happened here?' It was unbelievable.”
Reflecting on the campaign as a whole, he said: “I have taken a lot of experience from playing against some of the best teams and best players in the world.
“All the coaches have been really good with me and I have learned a lot.
“I really enjoyed my time there. It was everything I had dreamed of.
“To play that first game and get my first cap was a dream come true, but to play all five games was something else. I am really happy.”
Results didn't go Wales' way as they picked up the wooden spoon, but Winnett says: “We have got a really young team and we are building for the future. We have got to trust that and keep pushing on.”
Hailing from Wattstown in Rhondda and a product of Treorchy RFC, he has been with Cardiff since 2021, but it's this season he has really broken through, grabbing the opportunity at No.15 created by the departure of Liam Williams and Matthew Morgan.
He returned to regional duty this weekend in the URC clash with Munster at Limerick's Thomond Park.
“I really enjoyed my time with Wales, but I was really looking forward to coming back to Cardiff as well,” he said. “The boys here are really good and have helped me loads in terms of developing into the player I am.”
