RODNEY Parade favourite Luke Charteris is backing one of his Newport Gwent Dragons successors to keep the Wales locks on their toes after hailing Cory Hill's start to life at Test level.

The 24-year-old made his international bow off the bench in last Saturday's 32-8 defeat to Australia at Principality Stadium, becoming cap number 1,127.

The second row is one of the most fiercely contested areas of the Wales team with Charteris and Bradley Davies getting the nod against the Wallabies in the absence of talisman Alun Wyn Jones, who was on compassionate leave.

The Scarlets' Jake Ball and uncapped Osprey Rory Thornton missed out through injury to provide Hill with a chance and ex-Dragons captain Charteris believes the new boy grasped it to provide even more competition.

"I was really happy for him and he made a big impact as well, adding energy when the boys were getting tired," said Charteris, who partnered the debutant after he replaced Bradley Davies in the final quarter.

"He is a great guy who has had to wait a few years to get his chance and he has taken it. Cory is another name to add to the list of quality second rows that we've got, which is good because it keeps the rest of us on our toes more and more."

Hill earned the call-up by impressing after an invite to join the Test team to cover for injuries and the unavailability of Charteris, who was with Bath in the first week in camp.

And the speed of the Dragons lock's learning has impressed the 33-year-old, who left Newport for Perpignan in 2012 before spending two seasons with Racing 92.

"Cory is just a very positive guy. He is a good guy, he has come in and hasn't been fazed by anything," said Charteris, who won his 69th cap against the Wallabies.

"Cory has done his homework and learned the set pieces; he knows his roles, which is often the thing that takes news boys a bit of time to get up to speed with, so he has done very well there.

"That's the good thing about the two weeks (of preparation before the first Test) because it gives boys like him the chance to get familiar with our language. There has been no hesitation or mess-ups from Cory, he has come straight in and done very well."

Wales name their team to face Argentina at 11am (THURS) with Hill's inclusion depending on the availability of Jones. The funeral of his father, Tim, takes place on Monday.