When asked for his memories of watching Wales at Euro 2016, Aaron Collins keeps it straightforward and to the point - “the limbs”.
The Bristol Rovers striker was just 19 and under contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers when Chris Coleman’s side reached the semi-finals in France, famously beating Belgium in the previous round 3-1; an occasion Collins took in at the fan zone inside Cardiff Castle.
He baulks at the realisation that tournament was six years ago as Wales prepare for Qatar 2022 and their return to the grandest international stage after 64 long and painful years of failure to qualify.
Six years feels desperately short, but also incredibly long because reveals how much can change in an individual’s life. From wide-eyed and celebratory fan in the Welsh capital, Collins is now doing his absolute utmost to make himself part of the conversation for Robert Page’s World Cup squad.
With eight goals and six assists to his name this season, and 20 goals over the calendar year in League One and League Two, there aren’t too many Welshmen in better form. Indeed, across the Premier League and EFL, only two players have more goal contributions than his 14: Erling Haaland of Manchester City (18) and Exeter City's Jevani Brown (15).
And although Collins is plying his trade outside the top two divisions, there is precedent for Page selecting League One players with Portsmouth’s Joe Morrell, Chris Gunter of AFC Wimbledon, MK Dons’ Matthew Smith and Wes Burns of Ipswich Town all part of his most recent squads.
Having grown up inspired by former Wales and Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw who, he admits, led to him mimicking the front flip celebration, Collins is just riding the wave of his form and confidence right now, wherever it may take him.
“It would mean the world, it’s the World Cup at the end of the day,” Collins said. “We’ve had trouble getting there in the past and we’ve finally got there. I’ve followed Wales, and I love Wales as my country. Time will tell.
“It would be a dream of mine to get myself into that squad but there are so many talented players that will be chosen ahead of me but I’m trying to get my name out there and prove that I’m good enough and if the chance comes, the chance comes.
“I’d rather not be told (any scouts are watching). I think I’m doing enough to get my name out there and if it happens, it happens.
“There’s a chance and we still have a few games until the squad gets picked so hopefully I can add a few more goals and a few more assists and keep myself a right chance of getting into that squad. I remember going out to watch the Belgium game… the limbs. And if I get the chance to be part of that it will be phenomenal.”
Collins shouldn’t have too long to wait with national coaches needing to submit their provisional lists by this Friday which are allowed to contain up to 55 names. It would seem slightly negligent, with three weeks after that to hone that down to 26 for Qatar, for Page to not at least pencil the Rovers No10 among his strikers, just to have a good look at him before the month is out.
Collins has represented his country before at Under-19 level and although Page, in his previous role as Under-21 head coach, never called him up to that particular age group, with the striker something of a late developer at Forest Green Rovers and now the Gas, will unquestionably be aware of his talents.
What makes Collins fascinating, returned to a Rovers point of view, is that he keeps raising the concept of what his ceiling could be. Having blitzed his way through League Two in the second half of last season, out-scoring his previous best campaign by seven goals, he already has eight in 2022/23 and is currently on pace to reach 26 in the league which would represent another personal best.
As he admits, he’s simply never had the chance to showcase his attributes in the third tier and with the express confidence coursing through his body he’s making the art of finishing look easy.
The way he twice rounded Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Luke Southwood, en route to a first-half brace at Whaddon Road on Saturday, looked effortless. And, to Collins, there was simply no doubt in his mind that once he was put through, the ball wasn’t ending up in the back of the net.
“I just haven’t haven’t had the chance before,” he added. “I’ve been in League Two for most of my career, coming into the season, off the back of promotion, my best scoring season, new contract and just confidence; the gaffer has filled me with confidence and I’m being able to prove what I can do.
“Everyone knows in football confidence is a massive thing. Going into the new season, I love the club and I’ve started the season really well. At the end of the day, going through 1vs1 - I know I’m scoring. You don’t even realise you’re telling yourself that. I don’t feel like I’m going to miss and long may that continue.
“There are certain places the coaches want me to be in, in and out of possession, and it is paying off because I’m in the right places at the right time and that’s down to me as well as coaches coaching me.
“(Against Cheltenham) Lofty has gone up for a header and that’s where the gaffer wants me, running in behind and then I get through 1v1 and I go on and score. I’ve always said my best position is off the No9, if that’s the 10 or out wide. The second goal proves it where I gamble and I get those chances.”
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