Hal's shock at Wales call-up

He missed the last month of the season for Newport with a chipped bone in his knee and his career appeared to be on something of a knife edge.

But he was given a contract with the Dragons, then Gwent but now fully Newport Gwent, and his fortunes have changed so dramatically that he has won a place in Wales' Six Nations squad.

He did appear as a replacement late in the game against Scotland last August, but that Luscombe admits was for a friendly. Now he wants to go the whole way and earn a cap in the Six Nations.

"We came off a season that was not too successful, and with the new regions many Newport guys didn't get a contract," he said.

"I was out for the last month and it was touch and go for me. I wasn't 100 per cent sure of my future and obviously I was happy to get the contract.

"I see this call-up as a reward for the way the team has been performing. It's a credit to them as well.

"When Alan Phillips (Wales team manager) told me I felt a mixture of shock and happiness. I was very pleased. I'm lost for words really."

It's an early birthday present for Luscombe, who is 23 later this month, and arrives almost four years after he came to Wales from South Africa. He is now qualified for Wales by residence, a far cry from his school days in Capetown when he played for Western Province at under-15 and under-18 level.

He came to Wales as a gap year student after being spotted by Graham Henry and initially worked in Tony Brown's Bisley factory in Newport.

"I love the area and the people made me settle here easily. I have been amazed the Welsh people have been so forthcoming and sincere," he said.

"I've been overwhelmed by it, I've been to a few countries and never had the reception I've had here.

"When I realised I could play at a certain level it pushed me on to earn a contract.

"I've still got ambitions to be in the starting line-up for Wales, and the next thing will be to try for that."