Rhys Carré admits he was ecstatic at being selected in Warren Gatland’s 31-man World Cup squad after winning his first cap against Ireland last Saturday. 

The Saracens-bound prop has only started four games of professional rugby and such has been his impact since joining the Wales camp he has earnt a place on the plane to Japan.

The honour of delivering the news via Wales’ squad announcement on Monday went to the rugby club that inspired him as a youngster to pursue the game seriously: St Joseph’s in the north of Cardiff.

The 21-year-old admits he has to pinch himself at how far he has progressed in such a short space of time.

“I am speechless really,” admitted Carré.

“It has been a massive few days for me and it hasn’t sunk in at all. It’s mad really because four months ago you wouldn’t have thought this was possible.

“I would never have thought it. I’m on top of the world.

“Everything has happened so quickly and I’m just trying to take it all in. I have trained really hard over the past six or seven weeks and I’ve bought into everything I was asked to do.

“I sorted out my diet and everything else I needed to and I am here where I am now. Everyone dreams of this and when it actually happened I was sitting down and shaking.

“I didn’t know how to respond because there were so many emotions going through my head. This was never really on the cards for me four or five months ago.

“But every week, every month and every training session has worked its way to this moment and I’m glad I’ve put in the hard graft.”

But Carré has no intention of making up the numbers in Japan and has targeted a place in Wales’ starting XV.

“I thought I did pretty well against Ireland in the first half. I am still working very closely with Robin McBryde and trying to improve my technique. I’m not the finished article yet, so there is still some work to do.

“Going to Japan was top of my target list. Now I’m there, the next target is playing. I’ve got to work even harder now to get myself into the team.

“I’ve now got to repay the faith that Warren Gatland has shown in me. I always put in 100% into everything I do. You get out of it what you are prepared to put in.”