Luke Charteris: Wales need success Down Under

Luke Charteris has said that Wales will only be considered a top rugby nation when they start beating the likes of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Wales won this year's Six Nations with a Grand Slam performance, but Charteris has said that it is time for Wales to announce their arrival on the world stage.

Wales travel to Austrlia this summer for a three-Test tour, before hosting both the Wallabies and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium later in the year.

"We've played Australia a lot recently and so far it's 2-0 to them," the Dragons lock said.

"We know we need to up our levels if we are going to get results. But we owe it to ourselves and we owe it to the Welsh public.

"We have the respect of the northern hemisphere, but if we want the respect in the world game then we have to go to the southern hemisphere and win games on their patch. This is a world game, rugby is not just about the Six Nations."

Charteris is expected to move to Top 14 club Perpignan from Newport Gwent Dragons next season.