WALES hooker Elliot Dee is ready for a duel with Richard Hibbard for the Dragons' number 2 jersey, believing the pair will bring the best out of each other.

The 24-year-old from Newbridge is preparing for a summer of international rugby after a superb personal season for the Rodney Parade region.

Dee swept the board at the Dragons' awards nights thanks to his efforts at the heart of the front row and his exploits also earned a breakthrough on the Test scene.

He made his debut against Georgia in November, featured in the win against South Africa then all five Six Nations fixtures.

Dee will aim to cement his place in the Wales squad in June by impressing against South Africa and Argentina before returning to lock horns with 2013 Lion Hibbard next season.

The 34-year-old is returning to Wales after four years with Gloucester and the 38-times capped international will head to Newport will eyes for the 2 jersey rather than 16.

Dee wouldn't want it any other way.

"A key thing for any team is having competition for places and never feeling safe," said the hooker, who will also have Rhys Lawrence, a recruit from Ealing Trailfinders, and prospects Ellis Shipp and Will Griffiths for competition.

"If one player is off their game then they know that the person next to them will snap their opportunity up.

"It will be brilliant to have a player of his experience coming in and push me, while hopefully I will push him.

"Nobody wants to be back-up. If you don't feel safe in the starting jersey then you don't relax and that pushes performance up.

"It always pushes you harder knowing that somebody is on your tail or just in front of you. It's good to chase or to be chased."

Dee came out on top when the pair clashed in the Dragons' famous European Challenge Cup quarter-final success at Kingsholm two years ago but he believes the hookers' different styles will provide head coach Bernard Jackman will nice options.

"Richard is a big, physical guy and a different sort of hooker to me, maybe more of a big moment player," said Dee.

"The crowd really get behind him when he does something really well – you hear the cheers go up and you see his hair flick. You know that it was Richard Hibbard that put in the big tackle or carry.

"I think we will complement each other and Bernard will be able to use us both throughout the season."

Dee is set to feature in all three June Tests as Warren Gatland has named just one other specialist hooker, the Scarlets' Ryan Elias, in his squad.

However, it is understood Lions ace Ken Owens will be on standby and close to the tour to provide cover if needed.

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that all three Tests will be shown live on Channel 4 with highlights on S4C.