THE underdogs tag which has always surrounded Newport Gwent Dragons has helped propel towering lock Luke Charteris into the Wales starting line up against the All Blacks for the first time.

And he believes Wales being written off in the same way as the Dragons have could end a 56-year barren spell without success against the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The 6ft 9ins, 19 st 9lbs, lock has really come into his own this season, huge in the line-out and tremendous about the field as well as taking on the responsibility of Dragons captain in the absence of Tom Willis.

Now he gets his big chance for Wales, for though he has been capped 14 times the 26-year-old has never been a regular member of the side.

But clearly Wales coach Warren Gatland has been pleased with his development, he has emphasised the size of the player and is expecting big things.

Charteris puts a great deal of his progress down to remaining with the Dragons, signing a contract extension and with the way they use a backs-to-the-wall mentality to achieve results.

“Staying with the Dragons has been huge for my personal development and it has helped my rugby performances,” he said.

“We may not have got that many stars, but we’ve always had team spirit and they’re a good bunch of boys. Without that you won’t get anywhere, it’s one of the main reasons I didn’t want to leave the Dragons.

“You never want to be the underdogs or you won’t be as good as the teamyou’re facing but if people write you off it can help. We are confident we can get a good win on Saturday.

“We’ve got a number of Lions and we’ve got quality all over the pack, including three of the best forwards in world rugby.

“It’s going to be a tough week and it’ll be a huge challenge, we’ve been working hard trying to improve and I’ve learned from being involved before against them. They’re a quality side, but we’ve done a lot of homework and have seen them in the Tri Nations and last Saturday (against Australia).

“You need to play as though every game could be your last and just go out and give it 100% and try to keep in the team for future games.

“You want to be starting, I’ve been given an opportunity and just want to hold on to the position. Your first job is to win line-out ball but you are also called on to do a lot about the field, hit the rucks and work as hard as you can.

“We have got to get a dominant set piece so that we can give the backs the ball and impose ourselves.” Charteris clearly isn’t fazed at the prospect of facing the All Blacks and is relishing the opportunity, admitting he has worked hard to become the imposing figure he now is.

“This All Blacks thing is something the Press build up,” he said almost dismissively. “They are all quality players and they are a good team, but you can’t put them on any different platform from anyone else.

“I’ve been putting weight on, another 5 or 6 kg this year and it’s the heaviest I’ve been now, but as long as you can carry the weight it’s ok. I’ve been putting a lot of time in in the gym, if you want to lead by example you’ve got to put the performances in every week.”

Charteris’ Dragons teammate Martyn Thomas has been invited to train with the Wales squad this week after impressing the coaches in the recent Heineken Cup-tie against Glasgow in particular. Jason Tovey and Aaron Coundley were both involved last week.

The Wales squad are supporting the GLAZE charity’s prostrate cancer awareness campaign and wore special T-shirts at yesterday’s team announcement.