OSPREYS warhorse Ian Gough has one big goal left to achieve as he embarks on the 15th season of his epic top-flight career.

"I would like to make the World Cup. I would love to go out there," said the 63-cap Wales lock, who will celebrate his 34th birthday in November.

"But it all depends on how things go at the Ospreys.

"It's been made clear to me that I have to be playing well here if I'm going to stand a chance of getting selected for Wales.

"But to go back to New Zealand for the World Cup and get game-time would be the cherry on the cake.

"I've been to one World Cup and I'd like to go to another and really make it more of a successful one."

Gough, who starts for the Ospreys against Ulster this evening, has largely disappointing memories of his last experience on the global rugby stage.

He played in three games in the 2007 tournament, featuring in a winning side against Canada but losing in the games with Australia and Fiji.

That defeat against the islanders sent Wales spinning out of the competition at the pool stage — a bitter setback that Gough doesn't want to be his last World Cup memory.

But he acknowledges he faces a huge battle to impress coach Warren Gatland and secure one of the Wales lock positions.

"The competition for the second-row berths in Wales is massive.

"There are boys like Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Deiniol Jones and Luke Charteris, while Ian Evans is back and showing a lot of confidence in training this year, which we need because he is a brilliant player. There are quality players right the way throughout.

"Once you come top of the tree with those type of players playing the way they are, then you really deserve your national slot.

"That's a massive challenge.

"But the World Cup is a big pinnacle for me.

"Being involved in that would be an amazing way to round it all off."

Gough first played in the top flight at a time when John Major was Prime Minister, Eric Cantona was in his Manchester United pomp and rugby was still in the process of emerging from the amateur era.

He made his bow for Newport in an end-of-season encounter at Llanelli in 1995, coming on for David Waters in a game that saw Gareth Rees play his final match for the Black and Ambers.

Rugby had gone professional, but in Wales the old amateur ways were alive and kicking.

"You couldn't explain how different it was," said Gough. "It's hard to remember that far back. It's changed so much. There are four regions now; I think there were 12 clubs then. The standard of competition now just far exceeds that. It's not diluted any more. It's so concentrated.

"The guys that make it through the regional set-up these days are fitter, stronger and so much better.

"I came through at 102kg; now they are coming through at up to 116kg. They are quick, conditioned and skilled-up too. You have to take your hat off to how the academy structure is working. It's great for Welsh rugby.

"There was just a completely different attitude and atmosphere back then. Teams were so diluted apart from the top couple of sides. There is an edge to it now.

"We still have fun. It's a great life and a great sport to be involved in. We enjoy it to the hilt no matter how serious it gets. There certainly is an edge nowadays where you are going up against the best in Europe. There are no excuses now.

"You play to win things."

Gough has proved invaluable to the Ospreys, keeping younger locks like Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans honest and providing the region with all-important depth in a key area.

His contribution to last year's Magners League title campaign shouldn't be understated. Gough played in 17 games and helped rally the pack at key times when resources were stretched. For a Friday night at Ravenhill, he is exactly what a coach is looking for.

Switching from the Dragons three years ago was a gamble, but it has worked.

"Why I came to the Ospreys was to win things and be part of a successful team," said Gough.

"We won the EDF the first year and the Magners League last year. That's brilliant because those are things I've never done. To be really successful in Europe is a big thing for me and to defend this Magners League would be amazing.

"The goal is just to be as successful as we can. When you finish your career, you look back at what you've achieved and so far we've achieved a lot.

"But of course it would be great to achieve a lot more.

"This is the most successful period I've had in my career."