AFTER having the celebrate a win against the Aussies in clean kit, Dragons hooker Elliot Dee is desperate to lay down a marker by doing the dirty work for Wales against Tonga on Saturday.

The 24-year-old from Newbridge has been a firm fixture in Warren Gatland's matchday squad in 2018 but his run of 10 successive international appearances ended at Principality Stadium last weekend.

Dee was on the bench for the Test against the Wallabies but with the game in the balance and Ken Owens performing strongly, the number 16 didn't replace 2.

That came a week after a frustrating game against Scotland when the Dragons front rower enjoyed just nine minutes of action with a brief cameo while a head injury assessment was carried out followed by a yellow card (the victim of cumulative offences) just six minutes after coming on again.

"It was one of those things last week, I was delighted to get the win and to end the losing streak against Australia," said Dee, who has won 11 caps.

"It was good to be a part of that squad. I would have liked to get on the field and show what I am about but I was just as happy when the whistle went at the end, it's a squad effort.

"Ken is a great player and has had two great games. I was a bit frustrated with the yellow card against Scotland, which meant I was on, then off, then on, then off.

"I just want to get out on the field and show what I am about this week."

Dee has impressed since enjoying a first Wales call-up last autumn, when he came off the bench against Georgia and South Africa, but he is still under pressure for his spot.

Just as he did against the Springboks and Argentina last summer, he will share the duties with Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias against Tonga and the competition means that he is keen to make an impression in World Cup year.

"Having a successful first two games makes everyone want to go out there and prove what they can do and help the team be successful," said Dee.

"Over the last year we've developed quite a bit of squad depth and that's good for any team. When there is somebody in your position who has been given the chance to play, and has played well, you want to do the same when you get the opportunity.

"Everyone wants to be in that starting XV and wants to represent their country to the best that they can. If selected I want to lay down a marker and push for further involvements."

 

Dee's exploits have helped him rise to being Owens' deputy and the Dragons man is hungry for more.

"Last autumn was my first taste of it and I was dying to get on and get that first cap," he said.

"As soon as you hit one goal you set more. I had a good season last year personally and everything happened quite quickly.

"I feel a lot more comfortable in the squad now, I feel like I belong in the squad and it's nice to be with the calibre of players that are here. It brings the best out of everybody."

"If I cast my mind back, initially when you are first named in the squad you are overjoyed and it's what you have been working towards for so long," he continued.

"Then it does hit you straight away that you are going to have to be at your top level performance all the time and alert all the time.

"But once you get into the environment, get out on the training field and play a couple of games you realise that it's what you do day in, day out anyway.

"The field is no different to playing when you were a youngster, it's still rugby and if you weren't good enough then you wouldn't be out there."

Wales name their team at midday with Dragons lock Cory Hill in the running to captain the side in the absence of the rested Alun Wyn Jones after impressing as his deputy last summer.

Dee and his Rodney Parade teammates Leon Brown, Aaron Wainwright and Tyler Morgan will hope to feature.