After winning his first senior Welsh cap in Samoa this summer, Ospreys lock Adam Beard can’t wait to play in his first home Test, writes Jonathan Davies.

Named in the XV for the match against Georgia, Beard will make his first test start for his country and is relishing running out in Cardiff..

“Its exciting,” he said. “first time playing in the Principality Stadium it’s going to be a special moment for me and the family, seeing the crowd and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

At 6ft 8in and 18st 5lb it is perhaps no surprise that head coach Warren Gatland has summoned Beard for a Test against physical Georgia.

Beard may be one of many young players in an inexperienced pack but the 21-year-old believes that won’t make much difference to the Lelos.

Asked about the possibility of Georgia bullying a young Welsh pack, Beard replied: “I think that’s what they do with most teams to be honest, they back themselves on the set-piece whether they are playing a team of younger boys or the best team in the world.

“I think for us as young players it is about standing up and taking it to them really, and I know all of the boys are really excited for that challenge.”

Having made his Test debut while Ospreys teammate Alun Wyn Jones was on Lions duty in the summer, Beard is enjoying working with the Wales captain.

Beard said: “He’s a true professional, as a young lock forward you just look at everything he does not just on the field but off it as well and he does everything as a player that you want and strive to be, so is a great guy to look up to.”

With the 2019 World Cup approaching, Beard is likely to face strong competition from other young locks like Rory Thornton and Seb Davies.

“I think every player wants to play for their country in a World Cup but you can’t think too far ahead,” he said.

“There’s a lot of good, young, quality second rows in Wales but I definitely think this is an opportunity for me to express to the coaches what I can do in these Tests.”