Gabriel finds himself in the right place after eventful rugby journey

GIVEN the nature of the last week or so, it would be easy for the Six Nations squad picked by Steve Tandy to not exactly fly on the radar of many.

- BEN JAMES

> Gabriel Hamer-Webb has impressed for Leicester

Off-field politics have cast a shadow over pretty much everything, including the selection of a Wales squad aiming to end a three-year wait for a win in the tournament.

But if many perhaps found it hard to muster much enthusiasm for Tandy’s selections, then for the one new face actually named in the squad, it was a different range of emotions entirely.

While the Welsh rugby world was coming to terms with more chaos, Gabriel Hamer-Webb was letting a first call-up to the national team sink in.

Even now, he admits the achievement has yet to fully dawn on him.

But for a man whose rugby career has largely been on the road less travelled, this is some achievement.

“It’s been a pretty cool week for myself and my family,’ the 25-year-old said.

“I think they've maybe enjoyed it more than I have, which is always fun to see.

“It's been a proud week. It still hasn't set in yet. I’m not sure it will until I’m in with the boys and getting stuck in.

“I got the call from Steve Tandy the night before I was called up, so I had to keep that to myself.

“The reaction from my mum was maybe the best part of it. A good amount of tears and a good amount of smiles, too.

“That was the best part, telling my sisters and mum in the group chat call and getting their reaction.”

It is through his mum, who was born in Cardiff, that Hamer-Webb qualifies for Wales. Pulling on the red jersey has long been an ambition of the wing, even after leaving Cardiff for Leicester Tigers last summer.

“I think people got the wrong idea when I left Cardiff, that I was leaving that aspiration behind,” he added.