Dillon Lewis is ready to take his shot after being handed a start in Wales’ summer series opener against Canada on Saturday.
After overcoming a difficult few months and a series of injuries, the 25 year old, who will win his 29th Wales cap on Saturday, enjoyed a consistent run of games for Cardiff during the second half of last season.
With only 10 starts on the international stage to date - his last coming in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations - Lewis insists the consistent game-time in club colours has put him in good stead as he aims to take his club form onto the international stage and put a marker down in the race for Wales’ number three jersey.
"I am very pleased. I have had a fair bit of game-time with the club in the last few months, there has been an opportunity there, and it has been good. I have been pleased with how it went,” explained the academy graduate.
"Happy to be back in the mix here and back in the squad, and obviously starting this weekend is a great opportunity.
"It was a frustrating season. I picked up a few niggles, a few little injuries, that I could have done without, really.
"To get a run of games was good, injury-free. I had quite a lot of game-time, and I took a lot from it. Dai Young coming in as well was good, he helped me a lot and spoke to me regular.
“There were areas of my game that I needed to work on, and those things would only have come from playing regularly, week in and week out, staying injury free. I do feel I have benefited massively from that, and I am happy with how my game progressed.”
Wales welcome Canada to the capital on Saturday, before a double header against Argentina, as crowds are set to make a long-awaited return in Wales.
Lewis is excited to play in front of supporters once again, but with the likes of Rob Howley and Byron Hayward forming Canada’s backroom staff, the prop is fully aware of the challenges ahead against the Canucks.
"There are a few familiar faces in the coaching staff, aren't there. I am sure they will be well-rehearsed and will know what is coming,” added the Cardiff Rugby star.
"I expect a phyiscal game, it's an international, but it will be more about what can we bring, I think. A lot of the young boys, new caps, a lot of opportunity for a lot of players.
“[On crowds] The road to recovery, really, a bit of normality. It will be a nice change.
“It has been some 18 months now since we have played in front of anyone, so it is exciting. We are looking forward to it. I am sure 8,000 will sound like a lot more after having all that time with no fans in the stadium, so it will be good.
"You can hear everyone in the line singing the anthem when there is no-one there. It will be nice to hear people singing back at us, so I am looking forward to that.”