PHIL Dollman admits that he thought his chance of a Wales cap had gone before a surprise call-up for the summer tour to face Tonga and Samoa.

The 32-year-old full-back will play for Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership final against Wasps at Twickenham tomorrow before linking up with his new international teammates.

Dollman, from Caerphilly, has been called up to replace injured Cardiff Blues prospect Rhun Williams and as the only specialist 15 in the squad – fly-halves Gareth Anscombe and Sam Davies are other options – looks likely to win a first cap.

The former Newport Gwent Dragons man has been in sensational form for the Chiefs in recent seasons but admits he thought the Wales management had started to look to younger options.

“I thought I had missed out... I am ecstatic,” said Dollman, whose opening has come thanks to Lions calls for Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams plus Hallam Amos’ shoulder injury.

“At 32 I thought and looked at that and saw they had some good young players so they are bringing guys on. I thought it had probably passed by but gladly I have the opportunity now.”

Dollman could have been called up by England while he also qualified for Italy through a grandparent.

“It has always been Wales for me,” he said. “I am Welsh at heart and I have always wanted to play for Wales since I was a young age and that was probably the reason I took up rugby.

“Playing for your country is probably one of the biggest things I have tried to achieve. Hopefully I can do that and make a good account of myself and move forward from there.”

Dollman headed over the border in 2009 after budgetary constraints meant the Dragons were unable to offer him a fresh deal.

He has seen Exeter rise from the Championship to being 80 minutes away from the English title.

“It was a bit of a quick scenario,” said Dollman. “I had a good time at the Dragons and made quite a few appearances for them.

“I was quite young, 23 or 24, and quite an immature rugby player and had not developed that quickly.

“They were unable to offer me a contract and luckily I went out on the market and found Exeter.

“It was a big decision and I have not looked back since.”

Wales play a warm-up fixture against RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay next Friday before taking on Tonga in Auckland on Friday, June 16 and Samoa in Apia on Friday, June 23.

l Bath-bound Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill will make his England bow in the uncapped match against the Barbarians on Sunday.

The back row forward has been selected by Eddie Jones for the Twickenham clash that will prepare the Six Nations champions for a two-Test tour to Argentina.

Underhill is now available for England selection after signing for Bath for next season and is joined in the side by seven other debutants.Chris Robshaw and George Ford have been named as co-captains, charged with providing some experience for a side deprived of players from Northampton, Exeter and Wasps as well as the English Lions.