The 2009 British & Irish Lions Test is keen to catch Warren Gatland’s eye having returned to action in Cardiff Blues’ shock 28-23 win over Ulster.
The vastly-experienced hooker, who came on to a hero’s reception at the Arms Park on Saturday, is hopeful of playing in the global gathering next year after missing the 2011 tournament through injury.
“To make the 2015 World Cup squad is one of my end-goals,” said Rees, who has made 58 international appearances for Wales and played in all three tests for the Lions five years ago.
“The World Cup is next year and I was unfortunate to have missed the last one with a neck injury.
“You have to take your hat off to Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones for playing international rugby for so long because you know how hard it is these days. But, for me personally, it is about getting back on the park and enjoying my rugby. I’ve got a tough battle on my hands at the Blues with Kristian Dacey let alone Wales and I need to knuckle down and work hard here.
“I’m just glad to be involved back in rugby. I’ve got to put in big performances out on the park for Cardiff Blues and hopefully selection will look after itself.”
The man affectionately known as Smiler is now fully focused on rugby after his sixth-month battle with illness, despite critics suggesting that a return to the sport so soon was beyond the realms of possibility.
He hopes to play his part against Edinburgh after the mini break for the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals and has already set his sights on two extra special occasions against his old side the Scarlets this month and next.
“I targeted coming back at the tail-end of this season,” added Rees. “To be back involved and playing a part against the Scarlets will be a great experience and something I have been looking forward to.
“I’ve been back involved in the rugby side of things for the last three weeks and maybe having my extra voice in the changing room gave the boys a lift.
“We dug in right to the end against Ulster and got a massive, massive result. They came fully loaded and we can take positives from that win. Hopefully we can take that into the Edinburgh game now.”
Rees also thanked the rugby community for their support during the hardest year of his life, with the 33-year-old admitting he has been overwhelmed by the backing he has received.
“For me to come through what I have is tough, it’s mentally challenging as well as physically challenging. Rugby gives you certain values which have carried me through the last five or six months.
“At times you have to be selfish when you’re going through cancer. The support I received was unbelievable: you look back and realise just how lucky you are.”
