Ruddock doffs his cap to Llewellyn

Wales lock still going strong - three decades later

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has paid tribute to veteran lock Gareth Llewellyn who will make his 91st Test match appearance against Romania on Friday night, just three months short of his 36th birthday.

Wales' most-capped player, who is currently playing club rugby in France with Narbonne, entered the international arena 15 years ago when he took to the Arms Park field to take on New Zealand on November 4, 1989.

Llewellyn's resilience, fitness and enthusiasm are remarkable by any standards, factors that Ruddock readily acknowledges.

"Gareth is a unique and special player," said Ruddock, who has paired Llewellyn with rookie Newport Gwent Dragons lock Luke Charteris, 14 years his junior, for Friday's clash.

"The most impressive thing about him is that he's still hungry and wants to be the best second-row in Wales. His professionalism and dedication to training impresses all the time."

Charteris could not wish for a finer role model as he sets out on a Test match career which Ruddock, for one, believes could produce big things.

Ruddock predicts a bright future for the 6ft 9in forward, who will make a full international debut against Romania, even though he has yet to start a game in Dragons colours.

"Luke has been particularly effective at under-21 level, and we didn't want to leave him in the wings for too long, which has perhaps been a problem in the past," added Ruddock.

"He is not the finished article, we know that, but I hope the time he spends in the Welsh squad will accelerate his development."

Charteris enjoyed an impressive Wales debut off the bench against Tri-Nations champions South Africa last weekend, and has now been handed a starting role.

"Some of Luke's clearing-out work against South Africa was top-drawer, and his body positions are also very good," added Ruddock.

"He also took a kick-off very well, and these are all good skills that lead to him taking things forward on the international stage."

Charteris did not travel with Wales on their summer tour to Argentina and South Africa this year, remaining at home with fitness coach Andrew Hore to bulk up ready for the punishing physical challenges posed by Test match rugby.

"Over a two-month period, I probably put on nine or 10 kilos, but kept my body fat the same," he said.

"It was a lot of hard work, but it has benefited me a great deal.

"I am looking forward to Friday night. Once I found out that I was in the Wales squad, then it was an aim to get a starting place.

"I was reasonably pleased with how things went against South Africa, and this is all a great experience for me."