It’s been a long wait for Rhodri Williams - six and a half years to be precise.
But he’s hoping the waiting might finally be about to come to an end.
It was way back in March 2014 that the scrum-half won the last of his three caps for Wales - a try-scoring cameo off the bench in the 51-3 demolition of Scotland.
The fact the likes of Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Luke Charteris, Sam Warburton, James Hook and Paul James - all now retired - were on duty alongside him indicates just how much water has flown under the bridge since then.
Williams was aged just 20 at the time. International honours had come at such a young age for him, with his debut having been against Tonga the previous November.
But as quickly as his star had risen, so it dipped.
He went on the 2014 summer tour of South Africa, but wasn't involved in the Tests, with his Scarlets team-mate Gareth Davies preferred as the scrum-half back up to Phillips.
After that, he gradually slipped down the pecking order, with Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams, Aled Davies and Tomos Williams jumping ahead of him.
A move to Bristol in 2016 proved enjoyable on the rugby front, but it meant he was somewhat out of the selectors’ eyes.
So two years ago, he opted to return to Wales, joining the Dragons.
It was a decision based heavily on his international ambitions, as extending his stay in the west country would have ruled him out under the 60-cap rule.
It was a bold move, but his hope is that it may be about to pay off.
With Tomos Williams injured and Aled Davies ineligible after joining Saracens, Wales are looking for a third scrum-half for the hectic autumn campaign alongside Gareth Davies and Webb, with the squad to be announced on Tuesday, October 6.
Rhodri Williams is very much a contender, along with uncapped Scarlets No. 9 Kieran Hardy, the experienced Lloyd Williams and dual-qualified wildcard Harry Randall.
Now 27, Williams is able to reflect with hindsight on that first youthful spell with Wales.
"It does feel like a long time when you look back," he said.
"Obviously, I was disappointed I haven’t made a squad since.
"But that’s professional rugby for you. It’s a rollercoaster, it’s ups and downs.
"You are going to have to take the disappointment of certain decisions, but you also have to get your own house in order.
"Obviously there is a lot of talk with the squad announcement coming up and with Tomos being injured.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for a call up and working towards that because it’s a massive aim of mine.
"You have just got to get your performances right. If you do that, then hopefully you deserve a call up, so I have just got to keep concentrating on that.
"We are very lucky in Wales, we have got strength in depth, especially at nine.
"You could probably look at six or seven who could be in the squad, with youngsters coming through as well."
Commenting on his career over the last few years, he said: "I loved my time over the bridge with Bristol, I’ve come back and I’m loving my rugby now with the Dragons.
"I felt my first season here was a bit of a rollercoaster.
"I wasn’t as consistent as I would have liked, but there were some good games I was very happy with.
"Last season, I was a bit more consistent and felt like I really grew into the role with the region and I was happy where my performances were.
"Hopefully I can just keep doing that."
The tactically astute, livewire Williams helped the Dragons secure five victories and one draw in the truncated PRO14 last season, as well as a Challenge Cup quarter-final spot and Champions Cup qualification, amid an improved campaign.
"We want to build on that and make sure it’s not just a one-off," he said.
"We had a positive year, but that can soon be forgotten if we have a poor season.
"We have got to keep moving on this journey and step up as a playing group.
"We’ve got our first game of the season coming up and we are all excited to go."
That first PRO14 fixture could hardly be a tougher assignment, with a trip to reigning champions Leinster lying ahead on Friday evening.
"They are going to be a wounded beast after their defeat to Saracens in Europe," acknowledged skipper Williams.
"Their record speaks for itself. They have got quality across the board and they are a top side, with massive strength in depth.
"But we are going to have to go there some time in the year, so we are just looking forward to the challenge.
"We are the underdogs 100 per cent, but we are an excited group to be testing ourselves against the best.
"Our training has been very good and I think we are in a good place."
