It took him out of training for six months before further knee injuries hampered any thoughts of a sustained breakthrough for the Welsh region.
However, the 25-year-old is showing how much determination can pay off with a run of starts in both the RaboDirect PRO12 and the European Cup following an injury to Gethin Jenkins.
And despite his ascension to the starting line-up, the stand-in skipper believes he still has a lot to learn from his peers
"The last few weeks have been pretty special," he told Wales Online.
"I never thought that I would not play that much. I have always had confidence in my ability if I was given a chance.
"I had a lot of injury problems at the start of my career which took me more time to get over than it should have.
"When you have also had players like Gethin and John Yapp, there are top performers and you have to wait your time.
"My Dad has always likened it to serving an apprenticeship. You have to learn your trade before you get thrown in the deep end.
"It's important to put the hours in and you learn from role models in the region like Leigh Halfpenny, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton.
"They spend hours honing their game and setting the standards which you want to emulate."
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