Dragons lock Ben Carter on his shock Wales squad call-up

The 20-year-old from Undy only made his senior debut against Munster in November yet is in the mix for the summer Tests against Canada and Argentina.

Carter has long been tipped for the top by coaches at the Dragons academy but few would have expected him to make such an impact in 2020/21.

He has racked up 19 appearances his displays have led to him getting ready to join Cory Hill, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands and Josh Turnbull as Wayne Pivac’s options in the second row in July.

Carter has the potential to be a Dragons great and if he does that then he will follow in the footsteps of another diligent Rodney Parade lock who has played a leading role in his rise.

Robert Sidoli made 119 appearances for the Dragons and the 42-times capped lock, a Grand Slam winner in 2005, is helping produce the next generation in the city.

The 41-year-old leads the programme at the Newport High School rugby academy, where Carter honed his skills.

PROSPECT: Ben Carter has had a remarkable breakthrough season with the Dragons

“I was lucky to work with him there and also with Wales Under-18s, he was brilliant and gave me a call to congratulate me,” said Carter, who first played rugby at Caldicot RFC.

“He was a fantastic mentor and a brilliant coach; he had a lot to teach me and still could. He has been a great person to have supporting me.”

Carter was only just a teenager when former Pontypridd, Celtic Warriors, Cardiff Blues and Bristol lock Sidoli was finishing his career at the Dragons in 2014.

“It's stretching it to remember him as a player! But I knew from his reputation how much people respect him,” said Carter. “He was one of the top players and I'm lucky to know him as a coach and friend.”

The bright prospect is still processing the senior Wales call-up in a season that started with him pushing to be playing international Under-20s rugby in the summer.

TALENT: Ben Carter mixes it with Wales locks Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies

Carter, known for being diligent and grounded, intends to use the experience to push on next season regardless of whether he becomes an international.

He said: “If you had asked me at the start of the season about the Welsh squad, I would have thought you were crazy.

“I probably wasn’t even expecting to make a Dragons debut, so it’s quite a shock and I am just really grateful I am in there.

“It will be a great opportunity for me to learn, but also I want to go and do well. I’m just really excited and looking forward to getting into camp.

“I think it will be a step up again from regional rugby and it will be a great opportunity to improve as a player.”