The giant second row was left out of Wayne Pivac’s squad for the Autumn Nations Cup, but after some stellar performances for the Ospreys has returned to play a starring role in Wales’ Six Nations campaign to date.
And Beard insists being dropped from the squad has made him cherish the red jersey more than he ever has.
“It’s a great feeling to be playing for your country, especially with a Grand Slam on the line,” said the 25-year-old. It’s crazy.
“If you look back to the autumn and had said back then I’d be playing in most games in the Six Nations coming up and playing for the Grand Slam, I would have laughed at you because I wasn’t in favour in camp.
“It was just a message from Wayne just to go back to club rugby, get that consistency of performance, and show us the quality of player you were in the 2019 Six Nations.
“So it was just having the consistency of performance that would get me back in the squad and put me up for selection. It was really disappointing and made me want it even more.
“It’s a great honour to play for your country and get the shirt back. There was no better feeling than when I was picked to start the first game in the campaign. It’s been great being back in the squad and getting regular rugby.”
Beard will line up alongside Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones this weekend as Pivac’s side go play for the Grand Slam.
But standing in their way is a very strong France side. Beard is expecting a ferocious forward battle in Paris.
“It’s exciting to play the French,” he said.
“They are classed as one of the best sides in the world at the minute and as a player you want to challenge yourself against the best teams out there. It’s going to be a good match come the weekend.
“It’s going to be one big physical game on Saturday and it’s definitely something we as a pack of forwards and as a squad are prepared for.
“We are looking forward to that battle come the weekend.”
