Leigh Halfpenny played a full 80 minutes in Wales' victory over England just hours after a gruelling training session that included weights, a watt bike and an altitude chamber.
The Scarlets full-back wasn't named in the 23-man squad to face Eddie Jones men on Saturday, but was included in the 31-man squad that were involved in the pre-match warm-up.
When Liam Williams pulled out of the match as a precaution with a tight hamstring, Halfpenny was thrust into the starting side for his first Test appearance since last November.
Given that he wasn't expected to feature in the match, Halfpenny was subjected to a tough fitness session after the captain's run on Friday.
Then on Saturday morning, he did weights and cardio work in an altitude chamber.
"I'm not going to lie, we had a couple of tough sessions in the last couple of days," laughed Halfpenny after the 13-6 victory.
"But you get the call and that adrenaline just kicks in. It's an opportunity to put that jersey on.
"Yesterday we had speed endurance training. We did Broncos, which are basically shuttles. The boys put it in after the captain's run.
"Then this morning I had leg weights followed by a watt bike session in the altitude room.
"The boys were coming out of the room in a pretty bad way.
"(I) wasn't walking too well, I'll be honest."
Wales boss Warren Gatland added: " It was pretty tough on Leigh Halfpenny because he’d done a really tough training session yesterday and he had one this morning as well.
"Then we threw him in before kick off. He’s absolutely shattered.
"He said his legs were killing him before that last kick. I thought he put together a really good performance.
"He kicked well and his positional play was good. He is probably the best positional full-back in world rugby. He has put a couple of nice kicks up in the air and particularly the one he has regained himself.
"He is working hard on his counter attacking game and looking to be more effective there and he is experienced.
"It was pleasing for him to come in there and, ironically having no preparation mentally and just being thrown in was a positive.
"You can get a bit weary if you have not played for a while and a bit anxious."
It was Halfpenny's first taste of the international arena since he suffered a concussion in Wales' victory over Australia last November, an injury that sidelined him for much of the season.
But, with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, it was a welcome run-out for the 30-year-old as he missed a penalty from 50 metres and knocked another over from five metres closer.
"You never know when it could be the last time that you wear that jersey. You just keep working hard.
"For Liam, picking up an injury just before the game, I feel for him and hopefully it's nothing serious.
"It was a real tough Test match out there today but the boys dug deep at times, when we needed to. It was a great result to get here at home."
Wales fly out to Turkey tomorrow for a week of warm weather training before returning to Cardiff to face Ireland.
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