Having made their Wales debuts together, Cardiff Rugby props Keiron Assiratti and Corey Domachowski now have their sights set on their next goal - making the squad for the World Cup.
It was a memorable occasion for the pair at the Principality Stadium last Saturday as they won their first caps and shared in a 20-9 victory over England.
Their focus now switches to securing spots in Warren Gatland’s final 33-man group for the World Cup in France.
They both sit out this weekend’s rematch with England at Twickenham, but will be hoping for some more game-time in the last warm-up fixture at home to South Africa next week to stake a further claim for squad selection.
The two pals from the Rhondda have been speaking about what it was like to make their Test debuts.
Loosehead Domachowski said: “It was a surreal experience. It’s something we have both dreamed of and to be able to put that into reality was special, particularly with our friends and family being there. So yeah, it was a good day.
“After the birth of my gorgeous children, that was the best day of my life. It was a dream come true and, to top it off, we beat England. I’d just like to thank everyone who played a part in me getting to play for my country. The messages of support have been unbelievable and it really does mean a lot.”
Tighthead Assiratti, who has just signed a contract extension with Cardiff, added: “As Corey says, it was such a surreal moment. Walking down that tunnel and coming through the big crowd of people, there was a realisation that this is it now, it’s time to go. It was just unbelievable.
“It was nice for the two of us to do it together. We have played together since we were about 12 years old. We have been together a while.”
For both players, making their debuts was all the more emotional as their thoughts turned to family.
Wattstown RFC product Assiratti has spoken poignantly about his grandfather, who passed away towards the end of 2021.
“It was a time we got stuck in South Africa in lockdown. I was on a call to my grandfather while he was passing away. I just said ‘Look gramp, I am going to play for Wales for you’ and that was the last thing I said to him. Now I have fulfilled that promise I made to him.”
Domachowski also wrote movingly about family in a social media post, saying: “I promised my Bampi I’d play for Wales for him as he took his last breath and he squeezed my hand. I was never going down without a fight. My Nan would have done anything to witness that on Saturday, she loved the internationals. That was for you guys.”
The two props - both 26 - have also spoken about the challenge of making the final cut for the World Cup.
Domachowski, from Gilfach Goch, said: “There is good quality within the squad. Some players are going to go and some players are going to miss out, but what’s been good is everyone’s been pushing each other’s standards.
“At the end of the day, we all want to be number one, we all want to be in the squad to go to the World Cup, so when we are on the field it’s competitive. We are all just pushing each other now for final selection.
“But we all get on off the field. There is a good brotherhood really in the squad. I’ve come into the group, they have made me feel welcome. We feel like we have been here for years. All the boys have welcomed us with open arms and taken to our characters straight away. It’s been brilliant.”
Assiratti added: “We are all pushing each other as hard as we can. Switzerland and Turkey were probably the hardest training camps we have all ever done.
“Everyone just wants to get there now, everyone wants to be number one, we are all just fighting for the same thing.”