New Wales winger Tom Prydie has spoken of his pride at being selected as the youngest ever player to win a full Wales cap.

The 18-year-old Osprey said he is now determined to channel all his energy towards playing well for Wales in their last game of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations tournament at the Millennium Stadium against Italy on Saturday (KO 2.30pm).

He will be exactly 18 years and 25 days old when he steps onto the field to line up for the Welsh national anthem.

Prydie revealed his call up was such a surprise that he did not even hear Head Coach Warren Gatland call out his name when he gathered for the squad team announcement.

The Porthcawl Comprehensive School product said: “When the team was named I didn’t quite hear the 15, 14 and 11 and Lee Byrne had to stamp on my foot and nudge me before saying, “you are on the wing.”

“All the boys were great coming over and congratulating me. I had always thought I was in the squad for the coaching staff to have a look at me for the future.

“I want to get involved early to settle my nerves and then I’ll concentrate on playing rugby. Now I just want to pull on the jersey and have a good game.”

He revealed how skipper Ryan Jones was one of the first players to congratulate him after the team was announced.

He said: “He was great and told me not to get too stressed and to focus on playing my own game. It also definitely helps having so many Ospreys in the squad because it feels like a home away from home for me.”

Once he heard the news one of the first people he telephoned was his father, Nigel, who was delighted.

Prydie said: “I gave my dad a call and he couldn’t believe it. I know that now my mates are all rushing around trying to get tickets for the game.”

The teenager said he is thrilled at the prospect of stepping onto the field in a Wales team packed with his heroes.

“I grew up watching these players and it is a bit unreal to be so close up to them now,” he said.

For the future he now hopes to be in consideration for the Wales summer tour of New Zealand and next year’s Rugby World Cup but is focused on just playing well to impress the coaches.