British & Irish Lions hooker Tom Youngs has described his 2012-13 campaign as "ridiculous".
The 26-year-old Leicester Tiger fit more into last season than most players manage in a whole career.
It began with his first start in the No.2 shirt for his club, included a debut England cap, a start in a Grand Slam decider, an Aviva Premiership winners' medal and ended with starts in two of the Lions' three Tests during the victorious series in Australia.
The Norfolk farm boy's stock has taken a dramatic rise during the past 10 months and now, with his arduous season over at last, it has finally given Youngs time for reflection.
He said there are many people who played a part in what has been a dramatic transformation.
"It's been a ridiculous year and it has been difficult for it to sink in, because as you go from game to game, you don't get time to think about it," he said.
"When I get my down time, it was will sink in and I will probably say to myself, 'Yeah, that was a pretty special season'.
"Lots of people have been important in that, and have always been there for me. Glenn Delaney, at Nottingham, was great when I was playing there and learning my trade.
"Then there are the players at Tigers, like George Chuter, who was just outstanding with me, and the likes of Dan Cole and Boris Stankovich, too.
"I used to stand over their shoulders and watch them scrummage, asking them questions all of the time.
"Even if it was the most stupidest question in the world, they wouldn't laugh, they would just help me out.
"Then there is Geoff Parling, running the line-out and helping me to get an understanding of that. I have learned a lot from these guys.
"I can credit Leicester Tigers and Richard Cockerill for sticking by me, too.
"I remember when we played Harlequins at home last season and we lost three line-outs on the trot, five metres away from their line. At least two of them were my fault.
"I came off that pitch at the end of the game feeling horrendous that we had lost the game, and I thought I wouldn't play again for a while.
"But Cockers came up and said that he would be sticking with me.
"It showed a lot of character and belief in me to make that decision.
"He has been fantastic for me, stuck with me and not pulled me down.
"He has just let me get on with it and known that I will improve."
The only problem Youngs faces now is topping his previous 10 months when the 2013-14 campaign starts in September after a well-earned rest. But the son of former Tigers scrum-half Nick and brother of current scrum-half, Ben, has proved his is not shy of a challenge.
"When you look back on games like the Quins one, you enjoy those (bad) days because they test your mind and prove how strong a character you are," he said.
"It's good to take on such a big challenge and you have to learn from those experiences. There is no point in dwelling on them. I had to find out what was wrong with my technique and go and work on it.
"As a player, at whatever level, you have to learn from your mistakes."
