For the first year of Wayne Pivac's reign as Wales coach, there was a constant presence in his squad who few would have given a second thought about.
Seb Davies featured in the squads for the 2019 Barbarians clash, the 2020 Six Nations and the convoluted autumn schedule later that year.
He was just one of 14 players to feature in Pivac's first three squads. But Test minutes in the Welsh jersey were limited for the dynamic Cardiff second-row - with the other 13 all featuring more regularly than Davies.
Replacement appearances against the Baa-Baas and France in Paris and a solitary start against Georgia were all he would see through for those first 12 months of the Pivac era.
However, you could at least point to the fact that Davies, a mobile lock with good hands, suited the Pivac gameplan.
He admitted as much this week.
"It's a high-tempo game and I can move around the park well," said Davies.
"I've got good hands. I think it suits me."
Not that the first six months of 2021 would have hinted at that.
After missing out on the Six Nations squad - and the title that followed - he initially wasn't included in the summer squad for Tests with Canada and Argentina.
Adam Beard's Lions call-up saw Davies get the call, but even then, he didn't feature.
But of course, thankfully for Davies, he's not just a mobile player, but a versatile one.
And while that has been the ruins of many a player in the past who couldn't quite nail down one position, it was that versatility that ensured 2021 wasn't a total write-off.
His ability to play in the back-row is no secret.
Warren Gatland tried to shift him to No. 8 at times, while Pivac looked to him him as a blindside option during the recent autumn campaign when injuries took their toll.
The end result was Davies playing a part in each of Wales' four matches against some of the world's best - with back-row cameos against New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji followed up by a start against Australia in his preferred position of second-row.
On this occasion, versatility brought its own reward.
So it's no surprise that Davies, who some feel might have been messed around a little in switching between the second and back row, sees things in a positive light.
"Yeah I'm enjoying it. It's not too different," he said.
"The only difference is the scrum. I'm tall so I'll always get up in the air for the lineout. The only difference is the scrum and that's not too different a change.
"I do quite enjoy it to be honest. If there's a lot of injuries in the back-row, I can play in both. In that way, it benefits me. I'm happy to be a second-row first and then be able to move into the back-row."
Credit at Test level is a fine thing, with Pivac likely to have been happy with how Davies fitted in when called upon.
Better yet for the 25-year-old is the unprecedented test that the last few weeks have provided.
Being one of the senior figures in a mix-and-match Cardiff side that took on the European champions and English champions in consecutive weekends is a learning experience if ever there was one.
And the way that Cardiff went about taking on Toulouse and Harlequins with an expansive style of rugby suited the skillset of Davies - with his offload for Theo Cabango's try against Quins catching the eye.
Understandably, he's enjoying his rugby at the minute.
"I've had a bit of game-time in the autumn with Wales which I was happy with," added Davies.
"Coming back here, I didn't go to South Africa but I'm playing in these next couple of games. It's going well. I'm happy with my performance and I'm training well.
"I'm pleased at the moment."
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