Few players get the perfect setting to celebrate their achievements during their playing careers, however this weekend comes mighty close.
At home, at the club he has supported his whole life, against the current league champions and whilst wearing the socks of his childhood team it seemed destined for James Benjamin to become the 40th player to reach three figures for Dragons RFC this weekend.
Benjamin, who celebrates his 31st birthday next Friday, is in his twelfth season at Dragons and admits that growing up he’d have given anything to wear the famous jersey.
“I can’t wait for my hundredth,” said Benjamin. “I took my time getting there, but I'm really proud.”
“When I started playing rugby, I only wanted to play once for Dragons, which was my dream.
“It's the only ever club I've ever supported, growing up. To play 100 is amazing and a really proud moment.”
Benjamin’s journey to 100 games has been different to most, representing Dragons at flanker and in the centres before his switch to hooker.
“It’s been a different journey,” said Benjamin.
“I suppose we've had ups and downs and we've had some amazing memories and games, cup runs, etcetera.
“Obviously as the game’s develops, the whole game as well, and the way rugby's played, the environment and our facilities become a lot more professional over that time.
“But looking back, it's been a lot of good memories.
“I always just wanted to play as much rugby as possible, whether if that’s at hooker, back row or wherever, I just wanted to get on the field and just playing for Dragons makes me immensely proud.”
When Benjamin leads out his side on Sunday, he will do so while wearing the socks of childhood club Whitehead RFC as Dragons RFC celebrate origin weekend.
Benjamin says that he, like many Dragons players, still regularly gets messages of support from his childhood club.
The passionate support is a two-way street between Dragons players and their boyhood clubs, as was shown when players turned out to help the clubs affected during the storms of last November.
While he will be donning the blue of Whitehead, there will also be the yellow banded socks of Newport High School Old Boys, and the black of Caldicot amongst others.
“Whitehead were amazing,” said Benjamin. “I didn't really play rugby before it.”
“I remember as we transitioned from primary school to secondary school, we just had a letter from Whitehead RFC and they were starting up a brand new, junior section.
“A few of my friends who were joining me in secondary school from primary school and I said we’d go and we sort of just went along and loved it ever since.
“The coaches that give up their own time, for nothing really, just to give so many lads opportunities and now girls as well, is amazing.
“The club's junior section I think is one of the biggest in Newport,” Benjamin added.
“So, to go from nothing to where it is now is amazing and it's a really good club.”
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I only wanted to play once for Dragons, which was my dream. It's the only ever club I've ever supported, growing up, to play 100 is amazing and a really proud moment...
