Blair Murray has enjoyed a whirlwind season of remarkable firsts in Welsh rugby.
On Saturday, Judgement Day will be ticked off the list.
Signed in the summer from New Zealand provincial side Canterbury, the 23-year-old speedster has dazzled in Scarlets colours, earned himself a first Wales cap and put himself in the conversation as a potential British & Irish Lions bolter.
Blair will run out for the 10th edition of Welsh rugby’s annual showpiece at the Principality Stadium, looking to play his part in pushing the Scarlets closer to the URC play-offs with victory over the Dragons.
On the concept of the Judgement Day double header Blair says: “I think it’s a great idea. It’s awesome for Welsh rugby, for the players and the fans as well, with everyone getting together and mixing.
“I am hoping it will be a good crowd. That will be key to a nice atmosphere, just getting as many people there as possible.
“It’s a must win for us. It’s massive. The Dragons have got plenty to play for, as well, in terms of pride and playing for their fans.
“They will want to do a job. They won’t want to just roll over and give us a win. They will want to go out there and put in a good performance. So it’s going to be a bloody tough game and I’m looking forward to it.”
Reflecting on his first season in West Wales, he continues: “After the Six Nations, I had a couple of days just chilling out and thinking back on it.
“Honestly, it still surprises me how quick everything happened.
“It’s been unbelievable and I’m so grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had so far. I have loved every minute of being over here. It took a little bit of getting used to, but it’s been a great challenge. It’s been awesome.
“I am just about coming out of the pinching myself stage! It’s been such a cool experience, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
As for his main takeaways from that experience, he says: “The first thing is probably the fact that I am just living my dream.
“Since being a little boy, as with many kids all over the world, you dream of being a professional rugby player and running out, listening to the national anthem and playing out on the field.
“I’ve always been very aware of my Welsh family roots and I’ve always had that in mind. Mum made sure I would never forget it!
“One of my main goals when I came over here was to try and play for Wales. So, being able to live my dream has been amazing.”
Having started out his rugby journey at the age of five with the Southern club in the Taranaki town of Hawera, Blair went on to attend New Plymouth Boys High and represent New Zealand Schoolboys, before heading down to Christchurch in the south island to join the Crusaders Academy.
He then spent a couple of seasons with Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship before heading for the land of his mum.
Ahead of signing for the Scarlets, he sought the advice of his childhood hero Leigh Halfpenny who was at the Crusaders at the time.
“I had a couple of chats with him and he was saying how I was going to love it,” he explains.
“He said the coaching staff, the management, the players, the fans and the whole set-up was awesome.
“He basically had nothing bad to say about them which made my decision a lot easier.
“I have been loving it since coming over. The boys are great, very similar to back home. Everyone gets around each other and helps each other out. It’s like a family environment.
“It’s been awesome that the coaches have had the confidence in me to go out there and do my thing. I try to do them proud and do my family proud. It’s been great.
“None of this would have happened if the Scarlets hadn’t had faith in me
“I had only played semi professional back in New Zealand, so the fact they saw something in me and were happy to bring me over, I was stoked for that.
“I have got so much to give back to them, so hopefully we can make it through to the play-offs and have a little push for the finals.”