Now 26, the Wales defender is back in selection contention ahead of Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, determined to ensure history only partly repeats itself.
Four years ago, Norrington-Davies played his part as Wales edged past Ukraine, 1-0, to reach their first global tournament in more than six decades.
He still recalls the emotion of that night—even if the details are blurred by the intensity of the occasion.
“I can remember Gareth Bale’s qualities on both play off evenings,” says Norrington-Davies, when recalling the victories over Austria and then Ukraine four years ago.
“Especially that final game, obviously, when we qualified. I think I was on the pitch for the last 10 minutes or so of that one.
“To be a part of that and obviously to qualify for the first World Cup in so long - that’s a feeling that I'll probably never have again in terms of just how raw it was.”
But the dream quickly turned sour for the current Queens Park Rangers defender, on a season-long loan from Sheffield United.
Just days before the tournament in Qatar, Norrington-Davies suffered a significant hamstring injury that ruled him out—and triggered a long and frustrating battle to return.
“Yeah, I missed out on the World Cup, literally in the build-up to the tournament, probably two or three weeks prior.
“I picked up a significant injury. And then I struggled to get back into the squad afterwards because of related injuries here and there.”
What followed was far from straightforward. Complications and further setbacks extended his absence well beyond the initial diagnosis.
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“I thought it was going to be a bit more straightforward than it obviously ended up being. In the end it was a long time out.
“It was initially a hamstring injury, but there was a complication with the initial injury.
“Then, to follow, I had a couple of more serious ones that just prolonged the whole thing. It just breaks your rhythm in terms of getting back fully fit and playing regular football.
“It's probably taken me close to three years to get back to that stage.”
There were moments when even his long-term future felt uncertain.
“Of course, there were some serious conversations had and there were question marks over my fitness.
“I won't hide away from that fact. But I just kept on working and eventually it all came good.
“It was more just a time factor. I just didn't know how long that was going to take.”
All of which makes this latest opportunity more significant. Having experienced the joy of qualification but not the tournament itself, Norrington-Davies is determined to make sure he is part of the whole journey this time.
“Having missed it four years ago, probably still to this day it hasn't really sunk in. If I had gone, I would have the memories and the experiences with the group. But I don’t have those and in a way that's never really fully sunk in.
“So, this time round, being back in the squad, it’s a real opportunity for me.”
Watching the World Cup from the sidelines remains a painful memory.
“It was tough.
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“I can remember being sat in bed, I was bed-bound. Obviously watching the boys thinking, ‘Yeah, I should be there and I should be playing.’”
Regular football at the Hoops has been crucial to rebuilding both confidence and form.
“I wanted to play regularly, especially in the build-up to these matches. And just for myself, obviously.
“I hadn't played for so long. I just knew I needed to play football again, just to give myself the best opportunity of playing for Wales as well.”
Physically, he feels close to his best again.
“I'm getting there. I'm getting there in terms of how I feel with my body. My body feels good now.
“It's just about playing good football and obviously getting the chance under Craig.”
Working under Craig Bellamy has brought renewed intensity, with Norrington-Davies highlighting the demands placed on the squad.
“It's been good in terms of he's got his ideas, he’s got a philosophy of how he wants to work out of possession and how he wants to work with the ball. And he's intense with it.”
Wales, however, face a difficult task against a Bosnia side he respects.
“They are a strong side, but we focus on ourselves. We're a very good side as well.
“And we just need to make sure we turn up in the night and we focus on ourselves and we'll let the football do the talking.”
For Norrington-Davies, though, the stakes are deeply personal. This is not just another play-off—it is a second chance at a World Cup he helped Wales reach, but never got to play in.
