Nicky Smith spent all last season propping up Argentina skipper Julian Montoya at Leicester Tigers.
On Sunday, Smith will look forward to locking horns with his former clubmate in the opening game of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series - either as a starter, or off the bench.
These days, Montoya is plying his trade at Pau while still looking to add to his 114-cap tally achieved since he made his Pumas debut in 2014.
That was the same year that Smith won the first of his 57 Welsh caps to date, debuting against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series at the age of 20.
He was one of the first to graduate from the 2014 U20 team that had played in the Junior World Championship in New Zealand earlier that year and has since developed into one of the best scrummaging props in the UK.
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Not that the now 31-year-old is taking anything for granted as he comes into his 11th season of Test rugby.
“We have four quality loose-heads - Danny Southworth has been pulling up trees for Cardiff, Gareth Thomas has been consistently very good for Ospreys and Wales, and what Rhys Carre has been doing for Saracens is brilliant,” said Smith.
“There are four boys champing at the bit to get a game and all we can do is put our hands up on the training pitch.
“If we get an opportunity in these games then we have to take it because if you are a little bit off then there are three boys who can jump in front of you. It's great competition.”
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Smith has had great competition from Thomas throughout his career as they both played together for two years in the Wales U20 side.
That rivalry has continued in the senior ranks, with Thomas currently able to boast 44 caps.
It is not only Thomas that Smith can track back with to 2013 and 2014 with Wales U20.
New Wales skills coach Rhys Patchell was in the 2013 squad with the two props, while new forwards coach Danny Wilson was in charge of the 2013 team that reached the final of the U20 Junior World Championship against England.
“Danny was in charge in my first year with the U20 team. What he has done since with Leicester Tigers, Cardiff and Harlequins has made for a great coaching CV,” added Smith.
“Danny coming in with his speciality around the forwards, you can see straight away the attention to detail at the set piece.
“The boys have had good transfer in the training week, and hopefully we can put it on the field on Sunday.
“The changes Steve Tandy has introduced since coming in as head coach have definitely been positive and the boys have taken to them well.
“The training week has been tough and there has been a lot of knowledge about a new style of play and the identity we want to aim for.
“A lot of information has been chucked at us but it has been a brilliant environment to be part of. The boys have been relaxed but also working hard on the pitch and in the gym.
“It's now Test week, and that's always exciting, but what Steve has done well is pull us back a bit.
“Excitement and emotion is always high when playing for Wales but it's also how we can keep our powder dry so that we can come out blazing on Sunday.
“I know that I play my best when comfortable and relaxed. If I am doing my work but relaxed and confident in myself then that goes onto the field.
“The boys have really taken a good approach on that. We have a lot of youngsters and new boys, but you'd swear we have been together all year.
“Of course, we haven't played a game yet and it's a winning business. We know we will be judged on that but it has been a really good start.”
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Another Wales U20 alumni that Smith is happy to see waiting to win his first cap is his former Ospreys, and now Leicester Tigers, clubmate Olly Cracknell.
He was drafted into the squad when Taulupe Faletau pulled out through injury and now hopes to make the final grade having been in New Zealand in 2014 with Smith and Thomas.
“What he has done for Leicester and Ospreys is knock people back with his ball-carrying and physicality. It's great to have him around and I have no doubt that if he gets an opportunity in this campaign he will show what he has been doing for Leicester,” said Smith..
Strong ball carriers, as well as a solid set piece, will definitely be required against Argentina, the World Rugby No 6-ranked side.
Smith and co are building up to a big forward battle.
“Through the years Argentina have always had a big tight five. Their results in the Rugby Championship have been unbelievable and we know we’re going up against one of the world's best sides,” added Smith.
“But we’re excited to get stuck in and we know we’re going to have to be at our best to get a result.
“The Pumas captain, Julian Montoya, is one of the world's best hookers and his skills and physicality levels are through the roof.
“It will be a real competition against him, and he will lead from the front with the emotion levels high.
“The Pumas have always had a big pack but now we have seen how expansive they can be.
“They’re chucking the ball around and their back line is incredible. The forwards are big and physical but can chuck the ball around as well.
“Their ball skills, movement and defensive reads are a real strength. They will always pride themselves on physicality but there is more to them than that and we have to be ready for anything.
“Regardless of who we are playing, if we don't get our stuff right then we won't have a good day.
“What's exciting is that the four teams we are playing all have good packs and we know that we need to be at our best.”
