Tom James has just completed his first season of professional rugby

James gets his chance for the two-Test tour after Harlequins back Hal Luscombe pulled out because of family reasons.

And uncapped James, who has made just 12 appearances for the Blues, said he cannot wait to get out to Australia.

"I've never been to Australia and going out with the Wales squad is like a dream come true," James told BBC Sport.

"I found out I'd be going after the Leinster game. I came off the field and checked my phone and I had a message from [Wales team manager] Alan Phillips saying that I'd been selected to go on tour... I couldn't believe it.

Gareth Jenkins has told me to keep my feet on the ground, and I'm sure I will Tom James

"I had a rough idea that if I could come through the game and prove my fitness that I would have a chance. Luckily enough I came through and got the call."

James has had an amazing rise to fame in the past year. Only a year ago, he was playing for Merthyr before Cardiff plucked him from obscurity.

And after setting the Principality Premiership on fire, he soon got his chance with the Blues in the Magners League.

Three tries later and the 20-year-old is on the verge of his first Wales cap, and of forcing himself into Gareth Jenkins' World Cup squad.

He said: "I was playing for Merthyr last season and I'm trying to improve as much as I can, but I never would have believed that this is possible.

"I didn't think I'd play any games for the Blues and that I'd be playing for Cardiff all season.

"But after scoring so many tries in the Premiership I got my chance and I think I've taken it.

"It has been great learning off the guys in training in the past couple of days, especially Gareth Thomas who has always been my idol.

"I've not thought as far as the World Cup, I just want to keen on training hard and improving.

"Gareth Jenkins has told me to keep my feet on the ground, and I'm sure I will."