"It's been very difficult in terms of adapting to not playing every week but I've learned so much. I've gained so much this year," said the new Wales captain.
"It's been a great experience to be involved with what I think is the best club in the world. It has been a massive achievement.
"I would have liked it to have gone a little bit better than it is has but you have to take it on the chin.
"There have been much better players than me who haven't had a great first year and come back and done really well over the next couple of years."