“I’m over the moon and just looking forward to getting on the pitch now”

Rob Lloyd News

Tom Rogers can’t wait to run out at the Principality Stadium on Saturday after learning he will win his first senior Wales cap against Canada.

The 22-year-old Scarlets flyer has been named as one of five uncapped players in Wayne Pivac’s match-day squad to face the Canucks in Cardiff, capping a remarkable season for the Scarlets Academy product

“I’m over the moon and just looking forward to getting on to the pitch now,” said Rogers. “I didn’t expect to be here to be honest because there is a lot of competition here. It’s been very intense and I have learnt a lot in the last few days from other players.”

Rogers has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the Scarlets and scored a stunning individual try against Connacht to help his side secure Champions Cup qualification for next season.

He also used the Covid-enforced lockdown wisely by building himself a gym at home.

He has reaped the rewards of that decision and has now progressed to the senior Wales side.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to kick on and use it as an advantage for me. I did not want to just sit in the house doing nothing,” said Rogers of his lockdown gym work.”

“I phoned my mother and father when I made the squad. They were over the moon for me and crying. They’ve been with me from the start and were very emotional.

“They’ve taken me everywhere and given me everything I needed. They’ve been awesome and amazing and they’ll be the first in the stadium this weekend I can guarantee that.”

Saturday’s game with Canada will be the first at Principality Stadium to have fans since the 2020 Guinness Six Nations game with France.

There will be 8,200 supporters at the home of Welsh rugby.

“It will be amazing to have a bit of noise and it will be nice,” said Rogers.

“There is a bus full of my mates from our club Cefneithin coming up to watch on Saturday so they’ll be making a lot of noise.”

Rogers is the first Cefneithin product since the great Barry John in 1966 to win a senior Welsh cap.

“I’ll try and relax and cherish every moment on the pitch,” said Rogers.

“Playing for Wales has always been a goal of mine since I was a kid, but I never thought it would come so soon. It’s come quite quickly, but I am just honoured.”