Without the presence of Dwayne Peel, Cooper would not only have added to his 26 Wales caps but would probably be looking at a Lions starting spot this summer.

The Dragons number nine made an instant impact for his country, scoring eight minutes into his debut against Italy in 2001 but had to wait until 2003 to edge out Peel on a regular basis, scoring tries against Canada and Tonga in the World Cup and finishing the tournament as starting scrum-half.

By that stage he had represented Wales at all levels from Under-18 upwards and he still holds the record for Under-21 caps, having played 15 times at that level.

There was Lions heartbreak for him in 2001 when niggling injuries and playing second fiddle to Rob Howley at international level saw him left out at the final cut by Graham Henry but Sir Clive Woodward has seen enough from him this time around to call him up.

Fully fit and firing Cooper is an all-action performer who loves to snipe around the fringes while his understanding with Stephen Jones - like Peel's - is excellent and can only help the Lions' play.