 Dragons back Nathan Brew's season has been marred by injury |
Nathan Brew says he was surprised to earn a late call-up for Wales' two-Test tour to Argentina in June. Surgery on a recurring groin injury has seen the Newport Gwent Dragons utility back miss most of the season.
Wales leave on Thursday without Brew and four Dragons team-mates, needed for Friday's Heineken Cup qualification play-off with Italians Overmach Parma.
"To get the Wales call-up I was amazed to be honest, but very pleased all the same," said the 23-year-old.
"I've been out for almost 12 months injured and I think this Friday will be just my 12th game of the season.
"At the moment my mind is on the play-off on Friday, it's a big game, a must-win game."
 | I'll just take my chance if it comes |
Brew and fellow Wales tourists Luke Charteris, Ian Gough, Hal Luscombe and Rhys Thomas will be backing themselves to secure a place in next season's European top table at Parma's expense.
But after that it will be time to swap club colours for the red of Wales, with the Pumas awaiting them in South America.
Brew was not named in Wales coach Gareth Jenkins' original squad, but the withdrawal of Gavin Henson to work on his fitness created a place amongst the backs.
He won his only cap so far in a try-scoring debut against Romania in 2003.
Although Brew is comfortable at wing or centre, he is not suited to the kicking and creative role filled by Henson in the number 12 squad.
Brew is much more the strike runner, and wing or outside centre are more likely berths if he plays in Argentina.
"I'll just take my chance if it comes," Brew added. "I'm a bit short of confidence and rugby after the year I've had, so I can use this tour to get a bit of both.
"I'll be playing and training with some of the best players in Wales and whatever comes from it should be great."
The average age of the 28-man squad is only 24, with some seasoned internationals left behind to rest and recuperate, but still has a strong backbone.
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