Alex Cuthbert has been there, done it and is now wearing an Ospreys shirt.
The wing won a Grand Slam and a Six Nations title with Wales and is a British and Irish Lions Test series winner.
Not a bad CV in anyone’s book.
Cuthbert, 31, who signed in at the Swansea.com Stadium in the summer, made his Ospreys debut against Benetton Rugby in the 29-26 victory in Treviso last weekend.
While Rhys Webb’s try double and fly half Stephen Myler’s last gasp penalty clinched a hard fought victory on Italian soil, Cuthbert’s superb cover tackle on wing Monty Ioane in the first half was as critical to the win.
Cuthbert left Exeter Chiefs in the summer after three years to return to Wales with the Ospreys.
The 6ft 6ins and 16st 10lbs wing built a reputation for being a powerful runner and a proven try-scorer throughout his career.
The 47-times capped Wales international won a Grand Slam in 2012 and a Six Nations title a year later.
He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013, scoring a try in the Test victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane to help secure the 2-1 Test series victory against Australia.
Now he is part of Toby Booth’s Ospreys and determined to play his role for the team but also to share all his knowledge and experience with the youngsters at the region.
Alex Cuthbert, Ospreys, Wales and British and Irish Lions wing, said:
“It was a good opportunity to come back to Wales, after a great three years in England, and with a young family now, it was just the right time, with all the experience I have got, it was a good opportunity to come back.
“I still feel I have a lot to give to the first team, have gained a lot of experience with quite a few caps for Wales, played for the Lions and been in a successful squad with Exeter.
“We won the European Cup and the league there, so I have a lot of experience for the youngsters here.
“You want to join a quality team and if you name the squad at the Ospreys, it looks hot on paper doesn’t it? With the game plan Toby and Brock James want, it is really exciting.
“There are new facilities here which are world class, all on one site and that’s good. Toby has a plan for the whole squad and everybody is buying into it.
“I spoke to him a number of times when I knew I was leaving Exeter and I just liked the plan he had for the club and the culture he was trying to build here.
“I have a few mates here, and I have worked with Gareth Anscombe before and the team on paper, with George, Tips and Al, is pretty deadly. There is a lot of quality and experience here to allow us to be competitive in knockout competitions.
“I would love to play for Wales again, but for me, it’s game by game for the Ospreys and we go from there, really.
“I feel I am a better player now, with more experience and more rounded as a player. There are not many wings who have done what I did in Wales and then gone to England and won the Premiership and Europe, and come back to Wales.
“I have a lot of experience to give the young boys at the Ospreys, and there is some real talent in the squad, and it’s my job to put my arm around them.
“I have learnt how to be resilient over the last couple of years and how to stay in the fight for everything because I know I don’t have loads of rugby left to play being 31.
“I just want to enjoy every moment and every experience. The wings at the Ospreys, with Mat Protheroe and Luke Morgan are pretty sharp. Then, with Josh Carrington and Tom Lawrence coming through, and then you have George and Keelan Giles.
“There is some real strength in depth there and it has to be with a long season, with games coming thick and fast.”