Allen revels in "best days of my life" after Wales call-up

Centre Cory Allen says being named in the Wales squad has capped the best couple of days in his life.

The Cardiff Blues centre is one of three uncapped players, including Scarlets scrum-half Rhodri Williams and Ospreys wing Eli Walker, named in Wales' autumn 2013 squad.

Allen, 20, was part of the Blues side which beat Heineken Cup holders Toulon 19-15 at the Arms Park on Saturday.

"It has topped off the best couple of days of my life," said Allen.

The Blues centre has played only nine games for his region, but impressed Wales coach Warren Gatland enough to be called-up for the Autumn Test series in November.

Allen, who has been handed the role of filling the number twelve shirt at the Blues left vacant by Wales and Lions star centre Jamie Roberts' move to Racing Metro in France, could find him asked to do the same job for his country.

Roberts (ankle) is injured and in-form Scarlet Scott Williams is tipped to fill that centre spot alongside Lions Test centre Jonathan Davies.

Allen admits he is still struggling to comprehend what has happened during the last week.

"It has been a surreal couple of days with beating Toulon," said Allen.

"I haven't really got over that, I cannot really believe that and then there is this news as well."

Allen, who has played for Wales U18s, U20s and the sevens side, says he did not believe he had been called up by Gatland.

"The boys told me," said Allen.

"They asked if I'd had a text, but I didn't. I didn't have any service on my phone but I didn't think anything of it.

"Then a couple of boys said congratulations and I didn't shake their hands because I didn't believe them at first. I had to check for myself.

"I have done the 18s, 20s and sevens but the Welsh senior squad is the pinnacle of what you can achieve.

"I cannot put into words what I am feeling right now, it's shock and I cannot wait to go training.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

Allen is one of batch of young players being handed a run of games in the Cardiff Blues side by coach Phil Davies.

He, along with fly-half Rhys Patchell, wing Harry Robinson and fellow centre Owen Williams are joined by Lions Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny and Welsh international Lloyd Williams in the Blues backline.

WALES SQUAD

Forwards: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (capt, Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro).

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Jon Davies (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Owen Williams (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets).