Newly capped Scarlet Tavis Knoyle believes a tough-as-teak debut against the All Blacks is the perfect way to kick off an international career.

He ran out onto the Carisbrook pitch to claim an honour which is surely the first of many to come.

Just 12 months ago Knoyle was still occasionally playing for his home town team of Glynneath as he started to soar with Neath.

His form and talent attracted the Scarlets and as a string of recent performances proved he was a player of ability the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, took note.

The player was on cloud nine when he was named in the Wales squad to tour New Zealand and his delight was complete when he left the subs bench in the cold night air at Carisbrook and claimed his place of honour as a full Wales cap.