Wales new cap Liam Williams admitted he was "shocked" to find out he would be making his debut.
Scarlets full-back will make debut against BaaBaas
Wales new cap Liam Williams admitted he was "shocked" to find out he would be making his debut against the Barbarians on Saturday.
The Scarlets full-back joins winger Harry Robinson and prop Rhodri Jones as the latest young talent off the production line - with the Wales coaching team maintaining their stance of not being afraid to give youth its chance.
And Williams is stunned by his meteoric rise to the international stage.
"I was shocked when I was told I was playing on Saturday. This time last year, I was scaffolding," Williams said.
"To actually go and train and play professionally has been great. After the Junior World Cup last year, I went into rugby full-time, and it has gone really well.
"But I couldn't have imagined being part of all this a year ago - it has been crazy. I am glad to be picked, and hopefully I can express myself and have a really good game."
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, meanwhile, has been hailed as "a wonderful talent" ahead of his return to the international arena.
It is just over 18 months since he last wore the Wales No.10 shirt, but Biggar has probably never been better-placed to start putting pressure on World Cup and Six Nations playmaker Rhys Priestland.
Wonderful
"Dan is a wonderful talent," said Wales No.8 Ryan Jones. "He has had a tough time over recent months, but he is a guy who works incredibly hard.
"He has been massively influential for the Ospreys this entire season, and with his kicking performances he has been the ultimate professional.
"But I think he has started to develop a more rounded game which could see him have the potential to go on, if he keeps believing, to bigger and better things."
Saturday's fixture at the Millennium Stadium will be an emotional one for two modern-day Wales greats.
Winger Shane Williams make his rugby farewell for the Barbarians. Williams, Wales' record Test try-scorer with 58 touchdowns, retires from the sport this weekend.
And flanker Martyn Williams is set to reach 100 caps when he appears off the Wales bench, joining Welsh centurions Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas.
