JOSH Turnbull moved to Cardiff Blues to play regular rugby at blindside but the back row forward is happy to be Mr Versatile if it earns him a spot in Wales' matchday squad at the Six Nations.

The 27-year-old, whose last cap came against South Africa as an openside in Nelspruit in 2014, has been recalled by Warren Gatland after some impressive performances for the Arms Park side.

Given that Wales boast the settled trio of Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate plus Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty and James King, Turnbull faces a big battle to add to his tally of seven Test appearances.

However, Gatland has long lamented the failure to replace Ryan Jones, a player who could cover lock and the second row, and believes Turnbull could be that man.

"It's a big challenge because it's so competitive in the back-five area – second row and back row, with Lions dotted around everywhere," said the former Scarlet, who signed for Cardiff Blues in 2014.

"But it's a privilege to be in this squad with those kinds of people and players and be able to rub shoulders with them. Hopefully, I'll be able to push them as hard as I can.

"I always want to play, and if it means playing in another position to do so, I'll grasp it with two hands. I'm not unfamiliar with playing in the second row.

"I'll put my head in there. I have done it a few times for the Blues and played across the back row for them, too.

"Hopefully, being able to play at one position for the Blues, at six, and being able to play consistently well in that position, has given me the opportunity to get in this squad, but I'll never write off being versatile and being able to cover a number of positions."

"There's strong competition at blindside. Dan Lydiate is renowned for his chop tackling and being destructive in that contact area, and he does it really well.

"Then you have people like James King and Moriarty, who are both playing well for their respective teams, so competition is fierce in that position – as fierce as it is across the whole back row and second row."

Gatland has often been accused of staying too loyal to his favourites but Turnbull believes his recall, and that of his regional teammate Tom James, shows that it's possible for a player to force their way back in.

"I've kept plugging away at the Blues and kept my performances at a constant level," he said.

"The Blues going well in the past few weeks has probably helped, too. Hopefully, we can keep setting standards and winning games.

"I'd never give up on playing for Wales. From the first cap to the seventh cap, it's been a privilege to put the jersey on and it would be a privilege to put it on again if I ever get the opportunity."