RODNEY PARADE great Ian Gough has hailed Dragons captain Cory Hill for proving the doubters wrong with Wales – and believes there is plenty more to come from his former second row partner.

Lock Hill has been one of the success stories of the Six Nations and scored his first international try against Italy at Principality Stadium.

The 26-year-old received his first international call-up because of injuries in the autumn of 2016 and has gone from strength to strength in Warren Gatland’s squad.

He has established himself as skipper Alun Wyn Jones’ partner ahead of Bradley Davies, Seb Davies and Adam Beard and was voted by his teammates to be a member of the leadership group along with a raft of Lions.

Hill is set to win his 15th cap against France in Saturday’s Six Nations finale and Gough, who represented his country 64 times and played in every game of the 2008 Grand Slam, has been impressed.

“People questioned his call-up but Cory just kept his mouth shut and has proved those doubters wrong,” said Gough, who made 102 appearances for the Dragons over two spells and played 139 times for Newport RFC.

“There were maybe some questions about whether he was just keeping the jersey warm for other players but now he is settled into the side and making the place his own.

“Cory earned his chance by playing well in a Dragons side that hasn’t been performing, took that chance and has kept backing it up.

“He has done everything that has been asked of him and more. Cory is playing really, really well and I still think there is lots more to come from him.

“Second rows are almost like extra back row forwards now and he fits that mould. He is a very good lineout forward, a clever player and has a great skill set.

“Cory has got plenty of time to keep developing and has done the hard yards by shining for a Dragons team that hasn’t been performing, and the same goes for Elliot (Dee, Wales hooker).”

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Gough’s return to Rodney Parade in 2014/15 saw him play alongside Hill, including in his professional farewell in the European Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

“You could see that him and Matthew Screech had all the attributes and Cory has punched on,” said 41-year-old Gough.

“He is a real team man. Cory is a good bloke, which is half the battle, and I could see him being a captain.

“He is somebody that you can talk to and would take on constructive criticism, while he is a man that you don’t mind taking it back from.

“Cory is a real character and a great guy, so it’s good to see him doing so well.”

Gatland names his team at midday with Hill likely to keep his place ahead of Bradley Davies, who started next to him against Italy last weekend, with captain Jones returning after being rested against the Azzurri.