DRAGONS captain Cory Hill calls the shots for Wales in the Six Nations tonight with the hope that a big display against England's heavyweight can help lose his tag of supersub.

The lock is restored to the XV for the Principality Stadium clash that will go a long way towards deciding the destination of the Championship trophy.

Hill's lineout prowess earned the nod as skipper Alun Wyn Jones' partner in the boilerhouse and he will be the caller in their tussle with Lions pair George Kruis and Courtney Lawes.

It will be the first time that the Dragons talisman has started in the second row since the autumn opener against Scotland at the start of November.

The 27-year-old came off the bench against Australia, Tonga and South Africa and then was fielded as a blindside flanker by the Rodney Parade region over the festive period.

Hill missed out to Adam Beard in Six Nations opener against France but after missing the win against Italy with a cut knee, ending a run of 17 straight Tests going back to Samoa in the summer of 2017 when he was covering injuries for the Lions, he will have 4 on his back in Cardiff.

Western Telegraph:

The Dragon has impressed with his energy as a replacement but wants to show boss Warren Gatland that he should be on from the first whistle.

"You want to be involved as much as you can for Wales, whether off the bench or starting it is always nice to be in the squad," said Hill, who wins his 24th cap.

"But we are all professional players and want that starting jersey. Luckily for me I've got it this week.

"Like the rest of Wales, I am very excited and ready to go. I am sure it's going to be a big showdown."

Hill and the rest of the forwards will have to stand firm against an in-form England pack that won the collisions with Ireland and France.

However, the visitors field a front eight that has just one survivor – lock Lawes – from the starting pack in the 2017 win in Cardiff.

The Northampton man is also the only player who was in their XV in last year's 12-6 home win in the Twickenham rain.

"No England pack is ever week. It's totally different to the one that we played last year but that just goes to show the strength in depth that they've got," said Hill.

"They have been going well with two massive performances so it's a really big challenge for us. They have two Lions in the second row and plenty of experience in the pack."

Hill, who came on for a brief appearance at the end of the late loss to England, brushed off Eddie Jones' mischievous comments about the current crop being "the greatest Welsh side ever" as they hunt a record-breaking 12th Test win.

"That's Eddie, he's giving the media what they want! There's no disrespect from us to those that have put the jersey on before us, there have been some great Welsh teams over the years," said the Dragons forward.

"But we are on a bit of a run and hopefully we can keep that going. We put the record to the back of our minds, we know that we have got a big game ahead and are focused on the task and what we need to do to get that win."

l Six Nations: Pages 36&37