Receiving the James Hook seal of approval after a debut performance is no bad way for a young player to start his professional career.
We are talking major understatement there.
But Iestyn Hopkins deserved to have his first full appearance in professional rugby signed off by one of the Welsh game’s classiest players of the past 20 years, with Hook watching a clip of the young full-back stepping through the Benetton defence and saying on BBC’s Scrum V programme: “This is what the paying supporter pays to watch, surely.”
The 81-cap Wales international continued: "He was brilliant. It was his first start for the Ospreys and he looked so, so composed. What I'm really impressed with is his close-contact footwork. He's not a big guy, but he's powerful. Where he's really dangerous is from kick-receipt. Good ball control and lovely feet."
Hook knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Ystalyfera comprehensive school product Hopkins, having coached him at Swansea University and with Swansea RFC.
Hopkins cut his rugby teeth with Ystradgynlais. Compact and powerful, with a low centre of a gravity and a step, the versatile back who can play wing, full back and centre is still a work in progress.
“He’s someone who believes attack is the best form of defence,” said an observer who watched him play closely during Hopkins’ days with Wales U20s.
“He has a great step and beats people. Maybe he could kick the ball a bit more. But he’s a very bright talent.”
Making his first appearance for the Ospreys, as a replacement against Munster, he put in several important tackles with the tide flowing strongly against the Welsh side.
His counter-attacking skills were on show from full-back in the game against Benetton.
Some would have played within themselves on their first start in the professional game, perhaps a shade worried about making mistakes. Hopkins just went for it, making 10 carries that yielded 87 metres for his side and seeing him beat six defenders along the way. A Sunday newspaper gave him a 9 out of 10 in their playing ratings.
“Iestyn's a very promising player,” Hook told WalesOnline. “While he loves to counter-attack, I’ve noticed a huge improvement over the past six months in his kicking out of hand.
“He's not one to rest on his laurels. He is eager to learn, works hard and is a pleasure to coach.
“I was delighted he played so well against Benetton. It was a big day for him and his family and for him to perform as he did was to his credit.”
Hopkins made his full bow in an Ospreys side missing 12 internationals on Wales duty, with the emphasis very much on youth as the south-west Wales region’s depth was once again stretched.
Next term, every regional squad is set to be tested amid budget cuts, reduced wages and job losses.
“It’s not going to be easy for anyone,” said Hook. "The youngsters will no doubt enjoy having the chance to play.
“But in a perfect world there would always be experienced guys to help develop them.
“It makes it harder when young players are being thrown in at once.
“When I was coming through at the Ospreys, Shaun Connor was there, along with Sonny Parker, Elvis Seveali’i, Stefan Terblanche and Gavin Henson. They were great players to learn from and all around there was experience.
“There were role models like Filo Tiatia in that squad. Later, Justin Tipuric had Tiatia, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins to learn from when he was emerging.
“So I guess there are a lot of challenges that the Welsh teams and the young players will face.
“But Iestyn had a go last week and, while one game proves only so much, he showed he has the potential to do well. I thought it was a really good debut."
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