The 35-year-old – he turns 36 on 12 March – will become the fourth player to reach a double-century of games for the capital city side, joining Lloyd Williams (261), Tau Filise (255) and Kristian Dacey (202) on the all-time list.
In 2021, he became the fourth player to make 200+ appearances in what is now the BKT United Rugby Championship. Since then, he has leapfrogged three of them – Matthew Rees (202), Ross Ford (206) and Ian Keatley (212) – and is now only trailing the Connacht legend John Muldoon (254).
When he leads the side out against Leinster it will be his 238th tournament outing for both the Scarlets and Cardiff.
Josh Turnbull on the charge for Cardiff against Benetton Rugby
It has been an amazing career from start to finish, with 130 games for the Scarlets, 47 games for Wales from U18 through to senior level (13 full caps) and a further 35 matches for Llanelli and Llandovery in the Welsh Premiership.
Add them together and there are more than 400 appearances at age-grade, club, regional and international level. He played at the Under 19 and U20 Junior World Championships, alongside the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Webb.
There was a Grand Slam at U19 level to enjoy and he helped Cardiff win the EPCR Challenge Cup in Bilbao in 2018.
Josh Turnbull with the Challenge Cup in 2018
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my career, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve achieved in this region, the boys I’ve played with,” said Turnbull.
“I’ve lived the dream and it’s been one hell of a journey. I just love the game of rugby – I love coming in and being in the changing room with the boys and the day-to-day training.
“When you’re a young kid in Wales all you want to do is grow up and play rugby.”
As well as still playing at the highest level, Turnbull also coaches at Carmarthen Quins and with the Cardiff U18 team. He is a Level 4 qualified coach and it seems unlikely that when he hangs up his boots at the end o the season it is the last the game will see of him.
