Rhys Webb hopes he's put down a World Cup marker as he bids to finally play in rugby's showpiece tournament.
The Ospreys scrum-half guided Wales to a first win of this year's Six Nations in what was his first start in a Welsh jersey in three years. His last start in this tournament was even further back, coming at the end of the 2017 Six Nations in France.
That was the last time Webb was truly first-choice, with his Test career coming to a sudden halt after being snagged by the 60-cap rule following a move to Toulon. On his return to Wales in 2020, he fell out of favour under Wayne Pivac appearing to bring his Welsh career to an end.
Had that been the case, he'd have never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup, having been ruled out by injury in 2015 and then by the 60-cap rule four years later. However, his man of the match performance in Rome has now not only improved his chances of being on the plane to France later this year, but arguably put him in a strong position to be a starter out there.
"I would have hoped so," said the 34-year-old when asked if he felt he'd put down a World Cup marker with his performance. "I know what I can do and I believe in myself. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to show people.
"It’s back to the training field on Monday and we’ll see who the coaches pick."
He added: "I am buzzing. Like I said in the week to have to have the chance of a full training week and to be the general as they say and leading the boys around the field was massive.
"I tried to go out there and just enjoy it. I’m one to encourage the boys to enjoy themselves and that was a big focus of mine. I knew then that if it got a little bit loose I could put my foot on it and slow it down. I didn’t let the whole week and the occasion get to me too much. I wanted to enjoy myself and I did."
Having waited so long to get back in the nine jersey, it's unlikely that Webb will be taking anything for granted.
Indeed, while confidence has never been something he's lacked, the journey back to being Wales' scrum-half has been a bigger test of his patience than anything else.
And when it finally came, naturally it meant that little bit more because of the wait.
"It was very emotional really," he said. "It’s obviously been a long time coming.
"I’ve had to bide my time. There are world class nines in Wales at the moment. I had an opportunity to start the game and tried to grab it with both hands.
"It’s a new week now. I will enjoy this moment but when Monday comes have to start working hard again to try and get another start. You can’t take these things for granted."
Webb played a crucial part throughout Wales' bonus point win over Italy, setting up Rio Dyer's opening score with a smart kick into the corner that bounced awkwardly for the Italian cover - an "instinct moment" Webb joked was "pinpoint" - before making a trademark snipe in the second-half to create Taulupe Faletau's score.
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Webb believes that the performance of the side in Rome has provided them with some positives, particularly for the younger members of the squad.
"They’re unbelievable," he added. "There are a couple of them in the squad now and they’re just going to get better and better as the games come.
"It’s perfect. This win is nice for them because they’ve obviously had a couple of losses in their time in the starting jersey.
"Hopefully they’ll enjoy this moment but we need to get better because there was 30 minutes in that game where we fell off the pace."
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