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They say it's better late than never.

And for Phil Dollman it’s taken eight long years in the west country to become an overnight sensation in Welsh rugby when this week he was called up for their summer Tests with Samoa and Tonga at the ripe old age of 32.

It could become a dream few days for the Exeter Chief with the Sandy Park side taking on Dai Young’s Wasps on Saturday in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham with the full-back aiming to join a select band of Welshmen, including George North and Rob Howley, to land the English club crown.

But just who is Dollman and what is his rugby background?

We give you the vital facts and figures...

WHERE IS DOLLMAN FROM?

He was born in Caerphilly on May 15, 1985.

WHAT WAS HIS EARLY RUGBY BACKGROUND?

He’s no stranger to international rugby having played for Wales Under-18s and Welsh Universities,having studied in Cardiff.

His club rugby career started at hometown club Caerphilly RFC before making the move to neighbours Bedwas aged 20 for their 2005-06 campaign.

It was during his time at the Bridge Field, Dollman underwent emergency surgery in the summer of 2007 after suffering a perforated appendix.

During his four seasons with the club Dollman played 34 games scoring nine tries and was also employed as a kicker bagging a further 135 points from the tee.

In the 2006-07 season, Dollman made his Dragons debut and went on to play 10 times for the region that campaign.

He made 11 outings the following year and played 17 times in the 2008-09 season.

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SO WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Dollman said of his time when he had to leave Wales for the west country: “I had grown up playing at Caerphilly, Bedwas and then the Dragons, and you never imagine that one day you might move away when you are playing in Wales.

“We had talked contracts at the Dragons, but nothing came, and it got to a point where I needed to look for other clubs. Exeter were in the market for someone like me, and when the offer came in, I snapped it up.

“It was a bit on the hoof, a bit out of nowhere, but I was prepared to make the move. I knew I wanted to play rugby professionally and keep that going. I wanted to push as much as I could, but there just wasn’t anything in Wales for me.”

DID DOLLMAN MAKE AN INSTANT IMPACT WITH THE CHIEFS?

The answer has to be yes as in his debut season down in Devon, Dollman, who played in the No.15 jersey as well as providing centre cover, was a key player as the Chiefs secured promotion from the Championship to the Premiership in his first season with Exeter following a 38-16 aggregate play-off win over Bristol.

Barely four months later they announced their top-flight arrival in style, defeating opening Premiership opponents Gloucester.

Along with fly-half Gareth Steenson, Dollman is the only Exeter regular from the 2010 promotion-winning season to still be plying his trade at the club.

“It was a feeling of jubilation when we got promoted,” he said, looking back.

WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS DOLLMAN?

Though he isn’t blessed with searing pace, Dollman has great positional awareness on the field that comes with being able to slot into the full-back berth and centre without breaking stride.

Has a wonderful eye for a gap and an ability know when to counter-attack from full-back when the opportunities arise.

He was at his brilliant best for the Chiefs in their shock Premiership semi-final victory over back-to-back European kings Saracens last weekend when his initial break helped set up a try for Lions-bound wing Jack Nowell.

WHAT’S HIS CONTRACT SITUATION AT EXETER?

Dollman has made 191 appearances for the Chiefs and his last outing against Saracens last weekend came after a few weeks out with a hamstring injury.

He’s scored 21 tries in the process and his worth to Exeter coach Rob Baxter was best summed up when in February this year, when despite some interest in him back home, he penned a new deal with the club taking him to the summer of 2019 when he’ll be 34.

WHO IS HE BATTLING IT OUT WITH THIS SUMMER FOR A TEST START?

Though Dollman can slot into the centre, he’s heading off Down Under this summer primarily as a No.15 following injury to Blues full-back/wing Rhun Williams.

And as far as that goes, the competition comes from two players more accustomed to occupying the outside-half jerseys at their regions in Sam Davies and Gareth Anscombe.

Though Scarlets wing Steff Evans can also play at full-back, it has to be said the omens look good for Dollman winning a first Welsh cap at 32 years of age.

IF HE MAKES HIS DEBUT AGED 32 FOR WALES THIS SUMMER IS THAT A RECORD?

The simple answer is no.

Dollman will be 32 years and 31 days if he plays against Tonga and 32 years 38 days should he make his debut against Samoa.

And that would make him the oldest player to make a Welsh bow since former Dragons skipper Jason Forster played against Argentina in the summer of 2004 aged 33 years and 108 days.

Former Rugby League star Anthony Sullivan also played against the Pumas in November, 2001, aged 32 years and 352 days but the oldest Welsh debutant is Newport flanker William Radford who made just one Welsh appearance against Ireland, in Dublin, in 1923 aged 35 years and 269 days.