NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Ian Gough has admitted he despaired of ever getting back into the Wales squad - after he claimed in the Argus that he had been knifed in the back by the previous regime.

Gough was left out of the Wales team by the last Wales coach Steve Hansen and then omitted from the World Cup squad 16 months ago, Australian born and bred Brent Cockbain preferred to him.

That was the last straw for Gough who accused Hansen of knifing him in the back. Since then he has made just one brief appearance against Romania and has been missing from the Six Nations.

Now he can finally put all that behind him after being called into this season's Six Nations squad, predicted in the Argus.

"There were some low times when I thought I would never get back in," Gough admitted.

"Those comments probably did hold me back, but they were borne out of frustration. No player likes to be left behind especially after he has tasted playing for his country, but that's all behind me now, there is a new coach and management with fresh points to prove."

Gough admits having Mike Ruddock as Wales coach has helped him in his rehabilitation because he knows his capabilities only too well, having coached him with the Dragons last season.

Ruddock told the Argus some weeks ago that if Gough stepped up to the mark in Europe he would get back into the squad.

And that is exactly what the 28-year-old lock did, almost game by game, culminating in his dominating performance against Newcastle last Sunday which really clinched it.

"It's a plus having Mike and Clive Griffiths, too, doing defence (Griffiths also with the Dragons last season). They are two good guys who have brought different things to the table," said Gough.

"They know what I can do, but I still had to raise my level of performance.

"I'm pleased to be involved with the squad again, but I'm not too excited because that's only five per cent of it.

"No-one remembers the squad players, only the 15 or 22 on the stage. Not by any stretch have I done anything yet, the rest is still to do.

"When you've had something and lost it you always want it back, especially after you know what it's like. But you don't get a shout until you put the performances in."

Ruddock said, "Ian was tremendous against Newcastle, it's important to judge a player away in a tough Heineken Cup battle and Ian stood up. He's had a good campaign and he's been rewarded."

The next step is for Gough to earn a recall to the Wales team - when he will come up against none other than Cockbain.