Tuesday 22 September 2015 16:59, UK
Taulupe Faletau admits running out for Wales still has the same effect on him as it did the day he made his international debut four years ago.
If selected for the World Cup game against England on Saturday night, the cap will represent the 49th for Faletau, a tally collected over the national side's past 57 fixtures.
The Newport Gwent Dragons back row has become an integral figure in Wales head coach Warren Gatland's plans, but retains an engagingly modest attitude.
"It was new territory for me four years ago at the World Cup," said Faletau, who started all seven Wales games, made 75 tackles during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, and did not miss one.
"I had never travelled with the squad before, and suddenly I was visiting these great places and playing in all the games.
"It was surreal, but looking back now it is still the best trip that I've ever been involved with. It was all new to me, and I really enjoyed it.
"Four years has flown by, and I was saying to one of the boys that I still watch internationals and pinch myself that I am going up against these players.
"You don't get used to it. You still get butterflies watching other teams and thinking that you will be playing them some time. Four years on, I still get the same feeling running out for an international. There is nothing like it.
"I love playing, and I take every opportunity to play for Wales with both hands. I just like to be out on the pitch as much as I can."
Of the eight Wales games Faletau has missed since making his debut in June 2011, two he could not have played in because he was on the British and Irish Lions' Australia tour when Wales visited Japan.
And he has only missed two Tests through injury - Wales' 2012 appointments with Australia in Melbourne and Sydney - after he broke his hand during the opening game in Brisbane.
"Going into the World Cup in 2011, I was just happy to make the squad, and if I had played one game I would have been happy," he added.
"I guess I always thought that Ryan Jones and Andy Powell would be in front of me because I had been used to watching them on television, but then I got the nod for the first game against South Africa.
"It snowballed from there, and I didn't expect to play in all the games. The World Cup was a hell of an experience for someone new to international rugby.
"It will take something special to top it, but hopefully this tournament can with a good end result."
