NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Cory Hill is relishing the task of calling the shots for Wales when making his first Test start at a packed Principality Stadium.

The 24-year-old will wear 4 on his back for the first time on the international stage in tomorrow’s clash with Japan and will have the added pressure of being in charge of the lineout.

After being a late addition to the autumn squad, Hill made a surprise debut in the series opener against Australia when he added some late energy in the 32-8 defeat.

Cap number two eluded him last weekend when the tight nature of the 24-20 tussle with Argentina meant he stayed on the bench but head coach Rob Howley has rewarded him with a start against the Brave Blossoms alongside talisman Alun Wyn Jones in the boilerhouse.

Hill’s work ethic has been hailed by the Wales management and the lock hopes to reap the rewards of hours of homework since arriving in camp.

“I just got my head down, got on the computers and learnt the calls, because you don’t want to turn up at training not knowing anything,” he said.

“I got my head in the laptop and all of the boys were really helpful to get me up to speed. I’ve been calling the lineouts in training and was set to call them last weekend, but didn’t get on.

“It’s all about knowing your role and going through the processes really. It’s a big responsibility but once you're on the pitch you blank it out and get on with the job.

“It’s part and parcel of the job and as a lineout caller you get your head around it pretty quickly. Some boys are slower than others but, touch wood, I’ve been alright so far.”

Winning two caps is a pleasant surprise for Hill, who learnt of his call-up in the aftermath of the Dragons’ European loss to Enisei in Krasnodar, and he wants to put the heat on his rivals.

Jones and Luke Charteris are in pole position for the finale against South Africa while Bradley Davies and Jake Ball are Test regulars but Hill wants to give his coaches a selection headache.

“I can put my hand up. The second rows have gone well so far so it’s up to me now to live up to their standards. I’ve got to put my head down, put in a good performance and who knows what will happen,” he said.

One man who is a shoo-in, however, is Jones with Hill excited by the prospect of joining forces with a titan of the game.

“He’s a world class player and one of the best locks in the world,” said Hill. “It’s a great opportunity to play alongside him and take some of that experience that he has and try and perform well myself.

“You know how good he is, and you pick up little things off him in training. I’d like to emulate everything from his game really!

“If you can pick things up from all the locks here and put them into your game, you will go a long way.”