WALES lock Cory Hill says he regrets an incident that happened three years ago and has apologised for it publicly as he prepares to captain his country.

The former Dragons captain, who will lead Wales against Queensland Reds on Friday, was named among a group of individuals that damaged a woman’s house in May 2021.

Hill, who was playing for Cardiff at the time, was not charged by police and he apologised at the time through a representative.

His appearance as a replacement in the first Test against Australia on July 6 ended more than three years out of international rugby and now he has been chosen to skipper his country by Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

Former Dragons lock Cory HillFormer Dragons lock Cory Hill

“That incident happened three years ago. Do I regret it? Yes, of course I do,” said the 32-year-old from Maesycoed.

“I made a mistake and I am sorry. There is always going to be negative reaction to mistakes someone has made in the past.

“I have been honest and open here. The issue was dealt with by the club and authorities three years ago.

“It was a mistake. I hold my hand up and I am sorry for what happened.”

Gatland added: “We had a chat about what happened in the past and had a heart to heart about that.

“Cory said to me he made a mistake three years ago and he regrets what happened. Young men do make mistakes.

“For me, it is about putting that to one side and picking someone with that rugby experience and knowledge who has that rugby respect from the rest of the players in the squad.

“I have been clear that people do make mistakes in life and make some decisions or actions that they wish didn’t happen.

“We sat down and had an honest conversation about things. Cory was very open with me about that. I am sort of not looking at the past, but looking at the future.”

Hill was co-captain on the 2018 summer tour that pitted Wales against South Africa and Argentina and adds experience to a green side in Brisbane.

The lock has been playing in Japan since leaving Cardiff in 2021, currently with Secom Rugguts in the fourth division.

"The first two years in Japan, I was playing at the Canon Eagles with a couple of world champions and some Super Rugby players too," said Hill.

"It was massive learnings as a player, going out there and the intensity is high and I enjoyed that.

"I've loved my time in Japan and had some great experience and [am] probably bringing some from there back here.

"I'll have another year out there out there after we got promoted, but it's up to us to have discussions moving forward."