Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard has told Wales head coach Warren Gatland that he wants his place back for the summer tour to New Zealand.
The 32-year-old has been capped by his 38 times by his country but was passed over for last year’s World Cup and the recent RBS 6 Nations in favour of Ospreys’ Scott Baldwin and Scarlets’ Ken Owens.
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The 2013 British & Irish Lion and former Ospreys front row moved to Gloucester in 2014 after ten years in south Wales, joining up with fellow Welshman James Hook.
The Cherry and Whites went down 12-17 to local rivals Bath in the West Country derby at Kingsholm on Saturday as Hibbard only made the bench.
Despite this he said international retirement is not on the agenda and hopes to be considered for the June tour should Baldwin or Owens not be available.
He told the South Wales Evening Post: “I understand that Warren sees Scott and Ken as his main hookers and that is only fair because they have done a really good job.
“But if anyone has a bump then of course I’d be up for representing my country.
“I haven’t retired from international rugby and nor have I thought about it. If you go down that road you may as well pack in the game altogether.
“You never give up hope of playing for Wales.
“My goal is to win back my place, but I appreciate Scott is the man in possession and Ken has been playing well, too.”
