NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Andrew Coombs had to scrap to make his Wales debut and expects another tough tussle to earn more caps this summer.

The 28-year-old was one of the success stories of this year's Six Nations, going from unfancied regional grafter to one of the best performers of the opening rounds.

Coombs' displays against Ireland and France ensured that he started against Italy, with talisman lock Alun Wyn Jones kept on the bench.

He won four caps and has the chance to add to that tally in June's two-Test tour to Japan.

The second row from Nelson is a fierce competitor that impresses coaches and teammates with his determination on the training paddock as well as out in the middle.

Wales have been shifted out of their Vale of Glamorgan base – the Lions have use of that next week – but Coombs knows the same attitude is required in St Athan.

He expects the battle with Bradley Davies, Lou Reed and James King to be just as fierce as the tussle with Lions tourists Jones and Ian Evans.

“It's going to be tough,” he said. “Brad is coming back from injury, Lou has been in good form with the Blues and James showed in Six Nations training and in the Ospreys pack that he is one to watch.

“There is loads of competition and I know that I have to rise to the challenge again.

“I need to be at my best in training to first of all make sure I am on that plane and to then win more caps.

“I want to get as many as possible and stay on the international stage. The only way to do that is training hard and putting everything in.”

Wales meet up on Monday and the 32-man squad will be trimmed to 27 the following week with a captain named.

They play Japan, who are coached by former Australia boss Eddie Jones, in Osaka on Saturday June 8 and Tokyo on Saturday, June 15.