Mum was in tears over my Wales call-up, now I'm going to learn the anthem

When Blair Murray arrived at the Scarlets from New Zealand this summer on the advice of his former Crusaders teammate Leigh Halfpenny, it was always his intention to represent Wales. But even he has been taken aback by how quickly it has happened.

Murray, who qualifies for Wales courtesy of his mother who hails from Tonyrefail, has already made a big impression in west Wales. It's all a far cry from life in New Zealand where Murray would cheer for the All Blacks but was always proud of his Welsh roots.

And Murray revealed it was an emotional moment when he shared his news at being named in Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the autumn with his family. "It still hasn't sunk in and I'm still in a bit of shock to be fair," he said.

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"As soon as training finished we were out on the field and a couple of the boys came up to me and said congrats. I was a bit confused and didn't know what for but they then told me.

"It was cool to find out with the boys and celebrate with them a bit. I called mum and dad pretty much as soon as they woke up and they were stoked.

"They were still half asleep when I was talking to them on the phone but they were stoked and after talking to them they sent me a message a bit later as well so that was cool. Yes, there were a few tears.

"She's always wanted me to wear the red jersey so hopefully I'll get an opportunity in November. She was over the moon.

"When I was coming over I wanted to push for the Wales squad. I definitely didn't think it would happen this fast so it was quite a shock to me.

"I'm absolutely stoked for the opportunity. I had it in my mind but I didn't think it would happen this quick."

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The 23-year-old is only 5ft 8inch and 75kg but is a deadly attacking player with tremendous footwork and is a top class finisher. His sensational finish in the Scarlets' 23-22 victory over the Bulls in Llanelli would have impressed the Wales coaches but his defensive game is likely to have rubberstamped his selection.

Murray is acutely aware he will be tested like never before, especially aerially, but he is confident he can cause some damage if given the ball in space. "I'd say I'm an attack-minded player," he said.

"When I've got the ball in my hands I feel like I'm dangerous but my work ons have definitely been the defensive side of the ball. I've done a lot of work with the coaches here. JP (Jarred Payne) has been a huge help to me.

"The players you'll be coming across are just going to be that next level higher, you know. International rugby is going to be a step up.

"Obviously I've never played that before, but I'm excited to be a part of it and yeah, I'm excited to face the challenge. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the opportunity to get on the field and get the ball in space as you say and hopefully show what I can do."

In a game full of giants Murray is proof that smaller players can make it to the top through talent and sheer hard work. Murray admits growing up in New Zealand the household was torn between supporting the All Blacks and Wales.

"Personally, I was an All Blacks supporter first and Wales was a close second, but mum was always a Welsh supporter, so whenever the match-up came about, it was everyone wearing black and mum was in the red top," he said. "So it was a funny dynamic.

"Like I idolised players, you know, as everyone does. The Beauden Barretts, Dan Carter, Ben Smith, Izzy Dagg, all those kind of players.

"But I think as I got a bit older more high school age and Damian McKenzie started coming through, just seeing what he could do, you know, obviously smaller stature, I thought I played a similar game to him. Obviously now he's moved into that 10 role, so I guess I kind of looked at the way he played if I was going to base it off anyone, but I was more just enjoying watching rugby and tried to play my own game really."

Murray admitted he has no idea what it will be like running out in front of 70,000 people at the Principality Stadium but he insists he will have to learn the national anthem very quickly. Luckily for Murra,y advice is at hand from his Scarlets teammate and housemate Taine Plumtree.

"I haven't learned that yet, but I'm sure I'll be practicing in the shower or something, but yeah, I'll definitely have to get on to that," said Murray when asked if he had learned the Welsh national anthem yet. Today at training, you try and focus on Scarlets first while we're here so I haven't thought about it too much, but I'm sure after our game this weekend you know leading into the camp I'll have a bit of a thought around it.

"He's (Taine Plumtree) stoked as well. You have to be when you get the opportunity to play international rugby.

"We went out for dinner last night as a little celebratory dinner, but yeah, we're both chuffed."