Set to etch his name in rugby folklore, Matt Philip can't contain his excitement as eyes a dream NSW Waratahs debut against the British and Irish Lions.
A decade after leaving the Waratahs after failing to crack a Super Rugby start, the journeyman lock is back in Sydney after joining Dan McKellar's squad for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
But there is much on offer before then for Philip, who has already been invited by Joe Schmidt to join a wider Wallabies training squad before returning to the Waratahs this week along with Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster and Isaac Kailea.
After stints in New Zealand, Perth, Melbourne, France and most recently Japan, the 31-year-old, 31-Test former Wallaby jumped at the chance to join the Waratahs.
"Awesome, couldn't be happier," Philip said on Tuesday.
"I was first here in about 2014. I didn't get a shot then and so it took me a long time, over 10 years, but really happy to be here in the building."
Philip said the chance to feature against the touring Lions and in the 2027 World Cup in Australia played a major role in his decision to return home.
"So it was a pretty easy decision to come back to the Waratahs," he said.
"All those things, it's going to be a pretty exciting time for Australian rugby and the Waratahs, so super pumped up."
McKellar will on Thursday name his 23-man team to play the Lions at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Few players can say they made their debut for NSW against the revered tourists.
"Obviously it's a good way to start your Tahs career with an actual cap against the British and Irish Lions," Philip said.
"It's once every 12 years. World Cup is only once every four years, so it would be the biggest game of my career, so you can't not lean into the occasion.
"It's the old adage of every game; don't treat any game differently. But it's pretty hard not to in my eyes. It's a huge occasion."
Philip is really hoping Lions captain Maro Itoje also plays on Saturday night.
"Someone that's one of the top players in my position. As a rugby player, as an athlete, you always like to play against the best," he said.
"They've also got some other really skilled big forwards in that forward pack as well, so it's going to be a great challenge."
Philip isn't expecting a repeat of the 2001 battle between the Waratahs and Lions, when five players were yellow-carded and NSW playmaker Duncan McRea landed 11 punches to leave Irishman Ronan O'Gara a bloodied mess in one of the most brutal matches of the professional era.
"I've heard about it," Philip said.
"But I think rugby these days is probably a little bit different in terms of the fighting.
"But the emotion, the passion is definitely going to be there."
