British & Irish Lion hooker Richard Hibbard admits he is champing at the bit to return to the international stage.
Hibbard, who featured in all three British & Irish Lions Tests against Australia last year, was forced to sit out Wales’ summer tour to South Africa after undergoing shoulder surgery.
In his absence Ken Owens shone for Warren Gatland’s side, but with the Scarlets hooker sidelined until next month with a neck problem, the door is once again open for Hibbard to claim the red No.2 jersey.
Hibbard’s first chance to do exactly that arrives on Saturday as Australia visit the Millennium Stadium, and the hooker can’t wait to get his teeth into the Wallabies once again.
"It is good to be back," Hibbard told the South Wales Evening Post.
"After missing the South Africa tour, I am looking forward to getting back out there. If I get game time I will be a very happy man.
"The boys have worked hard over the last couple of weeks, there has been a big conditioning focus, they have really put a shift in."
