NEAR PERFECTION

“As a rugby player you’re striving for the perfect game. It’s something you strive towards but never get to. Through 112 Tests, I think this is the closest I got.

“It was a hugely important game, the second Test in the Lions series, and they put us under pressure early in the game when Gareth Thomas scored a try.

“After that, there was a sense of flow for me and I didn’t realise how well it was going. I picked up

a couple of tries, kicked a few goals, helped the team to win the Lions series (he scored 33 points).

“I remember this try in particular because I had three guys outside me. I should have passed, but I stepped inside and ran to the line. When you’re young, you play on instinct and have such freedom, which is exactly what I was doing.

“I see the highlights pop up on social media every now and then. It takes me back and I realise how special that game was for me.”