Richard Hibbard has enjoyed a dream year in 2013 and the British & Irish Lions hooker hopes he can use those memorable moments to inspire his future team-mates.
Six years after making his Wales debut Hibbard helped his country to a second consecutive Six Nations title, before playing a vital role in the Lions’ series win this summer.
The 30-year-old battled England’s Tom Youngs for a starting berth and impressed greatly across the tour – the Lions’ first series success in 16 years.
Now he has opted to leave Welsh rugby for the first time in his career, joining Gloucester Rugby next season, and the hooker is hoping his arrival can lift the Cherry & Whites.
“The last year with a Six Nations defence and Lions tour has been such a great experience,” Hibbard told the Gloucester Citizen.
“You learn so much from those precious moments and fortunately there were lots of good results in big games.
“You take a lot of confidence from those sorts of matches and if I can pass it on and help bring people up a level then that’s brilliant.
“But I also know I still have learning to do and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of playing with new players and working with new coaches in a fresh environment.”
Hibbard will leave a strong Ospreys front row, in which he has accumulated more than 100 caps, with a heavy heart.
However, with Gloucester also announcing the signing of former All Black prop John Afoa he already has an exciting link-up to look forward to.
“I’ve been really lucky to have been a small part such a good pack at the Ospreys, with the likes of Adam Jones and I’ve learnt so much from him,” he added.
“But now I’m really looking forward to packing down alongside John and hopefully we can build a strong platform.”
