Having made his debut against South Africa in 2007 the Dragons tighthead has become a regular inclusion in Warren Gatland's squads, even though he has struggled to displace Adam Jones from the starting XV. He is a powerful carrier and a focal point for his region, but he is occasionally found wanting at scrum time - although he impressed in that department when he made his only start of the 2008 Grand Slam against the Italians in Cardiff.