Domachowski has his eye on top spot
COREY Domachowski is a man on a mission to be Wales’ number one No.1.
The Cardiff prop now has 10 caps to his name, having broken onto the international stage over the past 12 months.
But he wants more. That’s on the back of a Six Nations campaign where he figured in four of the games, but had just a solitary start against Scotland and was omitted from the 23 for the final game in the tournament against Italy.
Now he is looking to get back on board for June’s Twickenham meeting with South Africa and the summer tour of Australia.
“I was a little bit disappointed that I only started one game in the Six Nations,” he told The Rugby Paper. “I was quite gutted not to be involved against Italy, but I had feedback off the coaching group which was all positive. It was a case of bide my time.
“To be fair, Gareth Thomas played well, he had a good campaign. I’m not bitter. I just want to make sure I am on his toes, pushing him for his jersey and he has got to keep it then.
“I want that No.1 jersey and I need to do everything I can to get it. I’ve got to make sure I finish the season strongly for Cardiff. I am on my toes, I’m striving to get better each day and each week. So hopefully I’ll be in a position come the summer to get selected and push for that No.1 jersey.”
Domachowski is in a very different place to just over a year ago when he was facing an uncertain future as an outof-contract player, with financial issues in the Welsh game resulting in a contractual freeze.
“I was in a tough position, not having anything in terms of security in my career,” recalls the 27-year-old. “But I think it gave me that little bit of a boost to keep working hard and not leave any stone unturned and not to have any regrets after my career was done.
“It was close to being done and it was a scary time, but I came out on top.”
His excellent form on the loosehead for Cardiff towards the end of last season saw him included in Wales’ World Cup training squad.
He made his Test debut as a starter at home to England in August and went on to secure a spot in the final World Cup group, making four appearances out in France, with four more to follow in the Six Nations.
“It’s been a mental year really,” he says. “Going to the World Cup, being involved in the Six Nations was absolutely a dream come true and lived up to the expectations.
“It was disappointing that we weren’t able to win any of the games in the Championship, but I really enjoyed my time and I do believe I left camp as a better player.
“I think I have learned a lot, playing with boys who are the best around in Wales. International rugby is a lot more intense and it’s the repetition of being able to do it again, again and again.
“It’s been a really good experience. Hopefully I’ll keep pushing forward and try and stamp down that jersey here at Cardiff and I want to get that Wales jersey as well.”