Dragons RFC back row tyro HarrI Keddie reflected on a ‘pretty good week’ after the draw with Scarlets – after seven days that saw him win a senior Wales call-up and become a father again.
Keddie was one of 10 back row forwards selected in Tandy's 48-strong squad last Monday, alongside team-mates Aaron Wainwright and Ryan Woodman.
The following evening the 29-year-old then became a father of two after the birth of his second daughter.
"It's been a pretty good week to be fair," said Keddie. "I had a smile on my face when I came in to train on Friday, that's for sure."
While Dragons' season ended with a thrilling BKT United Rugby Championship draw with Scarles, Keddie can now look forward to more rugby after time with the family.
His aim will be to feature against Barbarians and retain a place in the squad for upcoming Nations Championship fixtures with Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.
Ten years ago, Keddie's exploits for Wales Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam-winning side earned him an invite to help the seniors prepare for their autumn series.
Almost a decade on, his story is a reminder of the steely resilience he has always shown and never giving up on your dreams.
"I guess I probably just had a mindset of focusing on performances for the Dragons and not worrying past that," said Keddie.
"I just wanted to see where that would get me eventually and I just feel incredibly privileged to have been deemed good enough to get called up.
"I am looking forward to testing myself to see how much better I can get and to see what I can learn.
"I've always backed myself with my performances over the last few years, it's just been difficult with a few injuries," he added.
"I've managed to play consistently this season and that's massive for any player. The only way that you're going to get better is by playing regularly.
"I'll just go in and have the same mindset as with most things, I'll rip into it and give it a crack to see where it gets me.”
I'll just go in and have the same mindset as with most things, I'll rip into it and give it a crack to see where it gets me...
