By Simon Thomas
Keelan Giles will be a proud man when he makes his 100th appearance for the Ospreys in Saturday night's BKT URC clash with Zebre Parma out in Italy.
Reaching that milestone at the age of 26 is all the more notable given the amount of time the winger has spent out of the game through injury.
Fitness issues plagued him again over the summer, forcing his withdrawal from Wales’ tour of Australia, leaving him still waiting for that elusive first cap.
But now he is back fully fit and looking forward to his landmark outing, some eight years on from his regional debut.
“I’m proud. It’s a nice milestone for me and my family,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a long journey, to be fair.”
Reflecting on missing a summer trip with Wales due to a groin/hernia problem, he said: “It was tough, but I have been around long enough to know that injuries come and go.
“It was just one of those things. It was unfortunate.
“I was very proud to be selected initially and very grateful to be in that position. Hopefully I can get my performances back up there and be in the conversations this season.
“I am looking to get a run of games for the Ospreys. That is my main focus and whatever happens off the back of that then happens.”
Having missed the start of the season while rehabbing, Giles returned for the final two games of the opening URC block against Ulster and Edinburgh.
“I probably felt a bit sluggish that first game, but I felt more like myself then in that Edinburgh match and I’m just looking to build on that now going into Zebre,” he said.
“I’m fit and firing and ready to go. I feel 100 per cent now.”
We'll be celebrating Keelan's 100th cap at our next home against Emirates Lions on Sunday 8th December, KO 3:15pm. Get your tickets now and come along and give Keelan a big cheer as he runs out. We'll even be giving away a jersey signed by the man himself to one lucky supporter in the stands.
