DRAGONS lock Cory Hill has been backed to “bring something different” to the Wales pack tomorrow when he makes his first Test start in more than a year.

The 27-year-old will slot in next to captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row for the Six Nations finale against Scotland at Principality Stadium.

Hill is the beneficiary of Jake Ball suffering a shoulder injury in the loss to England at Twickenham last week and will be calling the shots at the lineout.

The Dragons forward won his first cap in 2016 and went on to be a mainstay of Warren Gatland’s pack, with the former boss frequently describing him as Wales’ most improved player.

Now the 25-times capped lock gets the chance to impress a new head coach after Wayne Pivac preferred him to Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Aaron Shingler and Seb Davies.

“He brings leadership at the lineout and we don’t have an abundance of callers,” said Pivac.

“He will be running our lineout.

“It’s his first start for a while and he is really looking forward to it.

“Cory is a mobile second row who can cover six for us as well at a pinch, so he brings something different.”

Hill’s last Test start was against England in February 2019 when he scored the vital try in the third part of what turned out to be a Grand Slam season.

He suffered an ankle injury in the process of scoring then saw his World Cup dream dashed by a leg fracture.

Hill returned to action with the Dragons in December and came off the bench in the Six Nations opener against Italy only to then suffer a hamstring injury in training.

He has battled back to fitness thanks to sessions alongside Rodney Parade team-mate Elliot Dee, who was hindered by rib and calf problems, and hopes to reap the rewards after winning his place back.

“It’s great to be back and a bit of a relief,” he said.

“I came into the campaign hoping to have a big one and got injured just after the first game, which was disappointing and pretty frustrating.

“I am really excited and really looking forward to it.

“It’s my chance, so hopefully I will take it and finish on a high.”