Woodman hungry for Wales action after first call-up

After playing a small part in Wales ending a three-year wait for a Six Nations win, Ryan Woodman has an even greater desire to make it to the international stage.

The Dragons blind-side flanker or lock remains uncapped but was a member of Steve Tandy's squad for the championship.

After being invited to train with the group before the Six Nations, Woodman was called for the last two rounds because of an injury to Taine Plumtree.

The 22-year-old was at the Principality Stadium for the 31-17 win against Italy with his brother Oli, who is also on the Dragons' books, after getting a first proper taste of Test standards.

"It was a really good experience and loads of fun," said Woodman. "I learnt a lot and have seen where I need to be to get to that level in the future.

"I've been given work-ons but the main message is to keep doing what I have been doing and hopefully I can progress to get there."

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Woodman joined fellow Dragons forwards Aaron Wainwright and Ben Carter in being put through his paces in the build-up to games with Ireland and Italy.

"The intensity of it is something that I had never experienced," said the former Wales Under-20s captain.

"Professional rugby is intense but training with Wales is another level. Hopefully I can train like that with the Dragons."

Woodman will hope to get another call-up when Wales play Barbarians, Fiji, Argentina and South Africa this summer.

Head coach Filo Tiatia has discussed an action plan with his young prospect to help with the work-ons given by the Wales management.

Woodman made his senior Dragons debut against Pau in December 2022 and has grown into a leading figure.

After making 18 appearances last season, the 6ft 5ins forward has featured in 13 of 16 games in 2025-26.

Woodman – tipped to be a future Dragons captain by Tiatia – remains mobile but has put on weight with Wales listing him as 18st.

"My main goal for the season was to be more of a physical presence, I want to be a big six" he said. "I definitely still have improvements to make but I am going in the right direction."

That progress will be put to the test over the next three weekends with Dragons taking on Stormers on Sunday (13:00 GMT), followed by the Lions in Johannesburg and Stade Francais in Paris.

"It's always tough playing South African sides, especially away," said Woodman. "Stormers have quite a few Springboks in their team and it will be a good physicality test."

Dragons have never beaten a South African side in the URC with their last success coming in 2020 against Cheetahs in the Pro14 before Stormers, Lions, Sharks and Bulls joined the tournament.