Dragons RFC prop Lloyd Fairbrother has spoken of his pride at making his first appearance for Wales insisting: ‘To me it was everything!’.
Popular front row Fairbrother made his first Wales appearance in the uncapped international against Barbarians at the Principality Stadium last weekend.
The 31-year-old was a late call-up and started - with Harri O'Connor on the replacements bench - with Wales having five tight-head props unavailable because of injury and club commitments.
The news of Fairbrother’s call-up was greeted with huge delight from Dragons fans who idolise the man now known as the ‘Welsh Barrel’ who has made 166 appearances for the Men of Gwent.
And Fairbrother, speaking to the Scrum V podcast this week, revealed just what it had meant to him.
"I didn't get a cap but I will take it, put it that way," smiled Fairbrother, as he spoke about the 49-26 win against the Baa-baas.
"It came out of nowhere. I didn't know if the day would come. I have heard some of the critics say it was a mickey mouse game or whatever but to me it was everything and I loved it. I am immensely proud of that.
"I really enjoyed it and loved every minute it was everything I dreamt of," he added. "It was just a crazy week and I tried to soak everything up. After the game I was finally able to sit down and take in everything that happened.
"I got a phone call on Wednesday morning, I didn't sleep Wednesday night before I got there nice and early the following morning.
"I was early to everything, first on the bus, I just wanted to put my best foot forward with everybody.
"All the players and coaches welcomed me in and gave me some calls to nail down. When somebody said something to me I wrote it down straightaway, I had a little pad and I was able to pick it up in a day or two."
Looking to the future, he admits he would relish another crack on the international stage.
"I would love another taste of it - I would be honoured," he said. "I have heard some things about the Six Nations and future selection.
"I won't look that far ahead. I cherished it for what it was and have little memories in my head of the weekend and I am very happy with that.
"I had a couple of little chats (with Warren Gatland) about the scrummaging before the game and my opponent on the weekend and after the game we shared a little joke about the scrums and had a beer together.
"He is one of those people who as he soon he talks, you zone in. Everything he said to me I wrote down and it was good. I have not had much feedback yet, but I tried my best and I am happy with that.
"I will always remember that journey into the city, it was something else," he added.
"I had no music on, I was just looking out the window and seeing the Welsh passion.
"That is the first time I have seen something like that so I will always remember it.
"Coming down Westgate Street with all the police shire horses stomping away, it was just rows and rows of passionate Welsh people of all generations. I just loved that. It touched me, it was brilliant.
"You jump off the bus and there is a choir singing and it was surreal. I had never felt that sort of passion before."
I have heard some of the critics say it was a mickey mouse game or whatever but to me it was everything and I loved it. I am immensely proud of that...
