DAVID Brooks says he can’t wait to get his first taste of competitive international football at senior level, and insists it was always Wales for him.

The Bournemouth midfielder created something of a stir when he withdrew from the Wales U20 squad ahead of last year’s Toulon Tournament and then opted to play for England instead.

He ended up being named player of the tournament as England conquered all before them to win the competition for the second successive year.

However, the Warrington-born 21-year-old switched his allegiances back to the birthplace of his mother to represent Wales at U21 level.

Brooks then made his senior bow in the friendly against France last November and played in the draw with Panama – Chris Coleman’s final match in charge – four days later.

He won his third cap in California in May when Wales drew 0-0 with World Cup-bound Mexico.

Wales face Ireland in the new Nations League in Cardiff on Thursday before a trip to Denmark, who could field an inexperienced team due to a dispute involving their high-profile stars, on Sunday.

“It was always in my mind to play for Wales, even when I got the England call-up, I’d already expressed my feelings to play for Wales,” said Brooks.

“Thankfully it didn’t sway anyone and I got a chance to come over to the Wales set-up.

“It’s a massive honour to put on your national team’s shirt so I can’t wait to hopefully put it on and put in a good performance for the fans.

“I’m looking forward to it. Obviously, I got ill so I couldn’t go to China, but I got a taste for it in LA with Ryan (Giggs, Wales manager) and I just want more of that feeling.

“I’m going to take all the advice I can off him (Giggs). He was a fantastic footballer and obviously won every trophy under the sun so if he’s got any advice for me then I’m sure I’ll take it on board.”

Training alongside the likes of in-form Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is a big fillip for Brooks, who moved to the Premier League this summer from Sheffield United.

“The quality is there to see,” he added. “They are obviously world-class players so getting to train with them is only going to help me and my game so I’m looking forward to it.”

As for the Irish, who ended Wales’ dreams of reaching the 2018 World Cup, Brooks feels Thursday’s encounter is a chance to avenge that 1-0 qualifying defeat nearly 12 months ago.

“At the time we were all devastated about that, but you’ve just got to put it to the back of your mind,” he said.

“It’s just another game of football and you’ve got to stay calm and composed and hopefully we can get some revenge.

“With a team like Ireland they always want to press, they want to get after you and they are a very attacking team on the front foot.

“If we’re calm and composed then we’ve got a lot of quality in our team to go at them, so they’ll be thinking the same as us.

“If we play our game I think we’ll get the three points.”