The Ospreys forward is now keeping his fingers crossed he can add to his 63 caps as Warren Gatland’s men take on the All Blacks twice this month.

“I was left out of the original line-up, so someone else’s misfortune is my good luck this time,” said Gough.

“It’s a tough squad to get into at the moment so every chance you get is a real bonus.

“Wales has a lot of very good lock forwards so there is real competition which is great.

“It is that need for competition which encouraged my own move to the Ospreys and that has been good for me.

“What it means is that if you get selected you know you really must have deserved it on merit.”