Gareth Anscombe is relieved to be able to concentrate on playing rugby for Cardiff Blues, following a lengthy injury lay-out.
The outside half had been ruled out with a long-standing groin injury since Wales’ summer tour, but returned to action during Friday’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Ospreys at Cardiff Arms Park.
The Welsh international insists there were no problems on his return to action and he was over-the-moon to be back playing on the Arms Park pitch.
“It’s been ongoing for a long time, and I finished the summer tour on a pretty positive note for myself and felt I was in a good spot,” said Anscombe.
“But my training load was taking a hit week-after-week and my body was struggling so we made the call to do what we did and I feel a lot better for it now.
“We’re certainly in a lot better and positive spot than we were six months ago. The plan was to only play 40 tonight, and I didn’t feel a thing, it felt really good.
“We’re going to stick to the plan, and I’ve got to thank the physios at the club who have worked tremendously hard with me.
“We’ve had to be pretty regressive with my training load, schedules, rehab and all sorts.
“It’s nice to finally get to the finish line and I can just think about rugby now, which is what I’m here to do.
“I’m feeling good after the game, I felt good before the game and that’ the main thing. On Monday I’ll start again and you have to look at someone like Gethin Jenkins, who’s had a long career and he certainly does that 1% extra every day.
“Hopefully, I’ll find that the more I play, the more consistent I get and it was a little bit surreal being back out there after spending so much time in the gym by yourself.
“I’m only focussed with trying to play week-in week-out and if I do that come January we’ll see where the cards lay I suppose.”
Danny Wilson’s side return to Guinness PRO14 action on Friday as they prepare to welcome Connacht to the Welsh capital.
The Blues came out on top in the encounter between both sides earlier in the season, as a last-ditch Willis Halaholo try, converted by Jarrod Evans, sealed victory at the Sportsground.
Anscombe insists focus now turns to Friday’s crucial tie, as his side look to climb the Conference A table.
The Welsh international said: “Next week is a massive game for us at home, with Connacht coming here.
“I think we had a tough start, which is pretty obvious, but I think the boys have bounce back well and hopefully we’ll have a pretty strong side.
“The boys have been working hard behind-the-scenes and I think we’ve turned a corner.
“We’re in a reasonably healthy position after the start we had, and the Connacht game will be a massive one for us with that third or fourth spot in our conference. It’s certainly a big one for us.”