HE'S 35, without a club and at a stage after a record-breaking international career where most people would be content to wind down or even call it a day, but Wales lock Gareth Llewellyn still wants to be number one.

The competitive fire still burns and as he builds up to Wednesday's international against the Barbarians at Ashton Gate, Bristol, and the summer tour of Argentina and South Africa the former Neath and Ospreys player still hopes for two more years at the top.

"I see my position in the team as, yes, one of the senior pros if you like and I'll be trying to pass on my experience to those around me," he said.

"I'm still very competitive and still want to be the No 1 second row and be in the team every time. "Being unattached to any region or club doesn't affect me for the forthcoming tour.

"Where it might be difficult is if I don't find a club for next year and the Ospreys leave me down in Swansea. That might make it difficult for Mike to pick me.

"Ideally I need to be somewhere playing a high level of rugby.

"In terms of offers, I've had nothing, but I still believe I have something to give at the top level.

"I've still got the hunger for next season and I'll make a decision then regarding the season after that, but I think I have two more seasons in me."

Llewellyn has now served under eight Wales coaches and though it's too early to compare new Wales chief Mike Ruddock with them, he said: "I think he'll be a success.

"What we've got with Mike is a progression. Steve Hansen hung around long enough to pass on his ideas of where the side should go.

"And you have Scott Johnson (skills coach) and Andrew Hore (fitness coach) there so that for the first time since I've been playing you have a level of continuity in the coaching staff.

"In fairness to Mike, all he's done so far is stick by what we had before and try to develop it a bit. "But I think in time he'll be a bit more direct and try to tie in the opposition a bit.

"Gwent rugby if you like, driving mauls and driving close to the ruck which will hopefully compliment the wide game we've already got."

As for the Barbarians game, Llewellyn added: "Mike obviously wants to win and he'll be looking to get something more out of it than the Barbarians will.

"It's a building block for us. A win would certainly help. But because of injuries and selection decisions we've got a lot of new guys we need to bring up to speed. They won't be up to speed by Wednesday but hopefully they will be by the time we get to the first Test in Argentina."