An emotional Lloyd Fairbrother said his Wales debut in front of his mother “meant everything” as the family continues to mourn the death of his beloved sister.

The 31-year-old received a surprise call-up to Warren Gatland’s starting line-up for Wales’ 49-26 victory over the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. The occasion, he said, was made even more special by the presence of his mother, Pat, originally from Blaenavon.

The pair were seen together on the pitch after the final whistle and the Dragons defender admits he has been reflective since then.

Fairbrother’s sister, Julie, died of cancer about 12 months ago; The disease also claimed the life of his brother Paul, who died in 2007.

Speaking about his experience under the Cardiff lights, Fairbrother told the latest Scrum V podcast: “Rugby can be one of those games where things go so well and then they don’t.

“Sometimes it can be a lonely game on the field and off the field it was a difficult year.

“I lost my sister at the beginning of the year and I probably didn’t take it seriously. Rugby has just arrived and we have to play and train again.

“It was at this time that she became ill. [last year] So ending the year with this and coming full circle means a lot.

“I don’t really have much of a family, I have my dear mother and she has been through hell and back.

“She is a very strong woman and I love her very much, I don’t mind saying that. Having her back in Wales just for the weekend and in the stadium singing the national anthem as best she could meant a lot to us.

“After that we shared a moment on the court; Sometimes that’s what rugby is all about. I know t-shirts are important, money and all, but having my mom aside, just for a moment, was great. “