Wales' Australian-born lock Brent Cockbain says playing in the Six Nations fulfils a childhood dream. "I grew up in Queensland watching the Five Nations, and now to be here playing in it is an amazing experience," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"It always looked so tough, an outstanding level of rugby.
"Myself and my brother (Wallaby international) Matt looked up to those players and games as something to aspire to."
 |  He (Cockbain) is not called 'disaster' for nothing |
Cockbain, 29, made his Wales debut last autumn against Romania after qualifying through residency. He impressed in the World Cup, but has yet to appear in a Six Nations match. Wales coach Steve Hansen sees the Warriors second row as a crucial member of his pack and has picked him despite concerns over a niggling hamstring strain.
"He (Cockbain) is not called 'disaster' for nothing," said Hansen. "He's all shoulders, knees and elbows, an enforcer in the legal sense of the word who scares people and does the dirty work."
The player himself is in no doubt about the role assigned to him in the team.
"Scotland have very good locks, they're big guys, athletic, good ball carriers and can get around the pitch.
"They're part of a very good pack of forwards, but it's my job to stop them doing what they do well."
 Brent grew up watching the Five Nations with brother Matt |
Cockbain was keen to play down the significance of his hamstring injury, picked up in the Warriors' first Heineken Cup tie with Wasps at the beginning of January. "The physio has said I'm ok to play and I feel fine in myself," he said. "I did full-contact work this week and the pain has been manageable.
"I'd been playing well before the injury. My match fitness may not be quite right, but I'm hopeful that I can get through the game.
"For my first Six Nations match I'm going to be running on pure adrenaline anyway.
"I spoke to Gareth Llewellyn and he said it will be something special at the Millennium Stadium, a tremendous atmosphere.
"I've got to get my head around that, get a handle on the noise that will be generated so I know what to expect."
MMIX
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