EBBW Vale prop Iestyn Thomas (pictured) is targeting next month's game against Ireland as his first Six Nations appearance for Wales.

He wins his sixth cap tonight against Romania at the Millennium Stadium, but has yet to appear in a Six Nations game.

He made his debut last November against Samoa and was a replacement for the following internationals against the USA and South Africa.

Then he played in both Tests against Japan on Wales' tour this summer. Now he carries the Gwent flag into tonight's game against Romania, the sole representative from a Gwent club.

Next up is last season's postponed Six Nations match against Ireland on October 13 at the Millennium Stadium.

"It's coming together well for me and I'm hoping for a big game against Romania," said 24-year-old Thomas.

"Then we'll see about the Ireland game, but it would be nice to be involved against them. "It's been going well for me, the Japan tour went well and my confidence is high, so I'm hoping to reproduce my form against Romania."

Thomas refuses to accept that the form of the Irish teams in the Celtic League (they are 16-2 up against Welsh opposition) will have any bearing on next month's international. "The Irish are provinces so they are able to pick a lot more players," he said.

"But once we come together we'll be evenly matched. Obviously they are playing well, but you shouldn't read too much into that."

Thomas is as bemused as anyone about Ebbw Vale's inability to finish teams off. "We're coming together, but we need a good win, and we need it now," he said. "But Mike Ruddock is a brilliant coach and we're developing all the time."

Vale are without a game this weekend, which Thomas welcomes.