Harry Robinson 'shocked' by Wales squad selection

Robinson played regional rugby for the Blues before his club debut for Cardiff

Teenage wing Harry Robinson says he had no inkling he was being considered for a call into the Wales squad.

Robinson, 18, was the shock inclusion when coach Warren Gatland announced his pre-Six Nations training squad on Wednesday.

He has had just three appearances for Cardiff Blues.

"I didn't have a clue this was going to happen," he told BBC Wales Sport. "It hasn't really sunk in yet. I don't know what to do with myself really."

A friend broke the news to Robinson of his selection after the official text from the Welsh Rugby Union failed to reach him.

"I wasn't sure what he was on about, I thought he was talking about the Sevens team being announced," said Robinson, capped by Wales at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 level and in the Sevens team.

"He told me I was in the Six Nations squad and I thought he was pulling my leg. But as it turns out I'm lucky enough to be in there so I'm pretty happy."

Robinson has made only two appearances for the Blues this season - the first against the Scarlets in a 3-30 defeat LV=Cup defeat and then as a late substitute in a Pro12 League defeat to Leinster.

But he has caught the attention of the national selectors on Sevens duty in the IRB Sevens World Series, a form of the game he says that offers "no hiding place".

"You can easily be found out if you're not physical or too slow," he added.

"It's shown me what I need to do to improve and work on. It's really helped me. It's great experience and I've loved every minute of it."

Gatland has named another five uncapped players in the 35-man training squad that will head for a week-long intensive training camp in Poland next week.

The coach has a proven record of giving young wingers an opportunity at international level, most notably recently with George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert.

"We know he's a talent and we just want to have a look at him in the squad," said Gatland.

"There are a couple of players that have come through the Sevens over the last couple of seasons - Cuthbert, Lloyd Williams - so it's a definite pathway for some players."

Robinson's promotion to the senior set-up represents a remarkable rise to prominence for the 5ft 9in wing, who had not played any senior rugby this time 12 months ago.

His selection by Gatland comes a year to the day that Robinson was told he would be making his Blues debut against Ospreys.

"It's just amazing what can happen in a year. I'm so shocked," he said.

With North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny for company in the squad, Robinson is realistic about his chances of making the cut for the Six Nations party.

But the Cardiff-born player, who counts Shane Williams as his inspiration, is determined to make the most of the unexpected opportunity saying: "I can't let it slip.

"I've got to do everything I can to try to get a place. It's not going to be easy with the players Wales have at the moment on the wing.

"But it would mean absolutely everything to me if I was lucky enough [to play]. I've just go to work hard now."