Owen Lane has revealed how he has coped with the bitter disappointment of missing out on Wales’ Six Nations squad.
The in-form Cardiff winger was the big surprise omission from Wayne Pivac’s 36-man group, with his club coach Dai Young admitting it was a “head scratcher”.
Lane, who started the autumn opener versus New Zealand, had scored three tries in his two outings prior to the squad announcement and delivered a tremendous all-round display in the Euro thriller against Harlequins.
But there was to be no place for him in Pivac’s squad for the defence of the Championship crown.
“Obviously, I was bitterly disappointed not to be selected, as you would expect,” the 24-year-old said.
“To be honest, I didn’t really have time to react.
“I got the phone call just before I was about to go out to train here [with Cardiff].
“So I was actually training when the squad was announced.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be in it anyway, so I let the people who are close to me know not to expect anything in the announcement because I wasn’t going to be selected.
“I couldn’t throw my toys out of the pram. I was outside. I had a job to do building for a game on the weekend.
“Internally I was upset, but you can’t really show that.
“I have got a job to do and I don’t think it would help my team-mates here if I was sulking on the sideline and not putting my best foot forward in training.
“As a rugby player in Wales, you’ve got to be able to control your emotions, take criticism and not listen to the media when they build you up or when they drag you down.
“That’s nothing against you guys, I am just saying that’s part and parcel with Welsh rugby and the media.
“I tried not to show too much emotion in training.
“I was obviously disappointed and I showed my family how I felt.
“It’s difficult not to dwell on it because emotions run high after the squad is selected.
“But I am lucky I have got a good support network and they were just building me up and saying the right things, which is concentrate on what you can control and that's performances here at Cardiff.”
So has the five-times capped Lane received any word from the Welsh management on why he missed out?
“The international coaches are very good in terms of feedback,” he said.
“I get it most weeks. They are always around training.
“The feedback hasn’t changed in particular from what it was in the autumn.
“Ultimately, I think it came down to the fact I haven’t played that many games. That definitely went against me.
“That isn’t in my control, but it’s a fact, it’s true. I probably was under-cooked.
“But, right now, I feel like I’m in the best shape I have been physically in terms of my weight and my body fat percentage.
“I just feel a bit better and hopefully that is showing on the field in my performances. I feel like I am in a good place.
“I am just focusing on getting fit and staying fit - which is key for me given my past injury struggles - and trying to perform well. What happens will happen.
“I am trying not to dwell on the Wales call-up because I can’t really control that. All I can control is my own game.
“My goal is to try and perform for the fans here.
“You don’t want injuries to happen, but if they do I am in a good place where I can put my hand up for selection and I will be ready.”
Lane will be looking to continue his fine form when he faces league champions Leinster at the Arms Park on Saturday evening, with fans back inside the ground.
“The last time I played in front of a crowd was the New Zealand game and the last time I played in front of a crowd here at the Arms Park was against the Sharks on October 16,” he said.
“It’s been a long time. It makes a hell of a difference, especially in this stadium.
“Everyone is so close to the pitch, you can feel the atmosphere.
“I grew up watching rugby here. It is still quite cool for me to think I am doing that.
“I really enjoy it. Hopefully we get a good turn-out this week and we can put on a show and try and create an upset.
“We gave a good account of ourselves in our last game against Harlequins, where we played a good style of rugby, and we are really excited to get back out there.”
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