Jonah Holmes admits it will be an emotional moment for the family when he joins up with the Wales squad this week.
The Leicester Tigers wing/full-back received a first call-up as part of a 36-man squad assembled by national coach Warren Gatland ahead of the autumn series.
Holmes qualifies through a Welsh grandmother from the village of Cwmllynfell, close to where former Tigers fly-half Bleddyn Jones grew up and also just a few miles from the home town of Owen Williams at Ystradgynlais.
He says she would be very proud to see him in national colours.
"I’ve had some communication [with Wales] over the last few years and had been hoping, and now I’m really thankful something has come about,” said Holmes when he spoke to the Welsh media after Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup win against the Scarlets.
“Nana Rachel was a massive influence on my whole family. It’s a shame she’s not around to see it because she passed away a couple of years ago, but it’s a huge honour for me to be involved. I’m sure she would be very proud today.
“For me it’s just a case of putting my head down and doing what I can do, and hopefully it works.”
