WALES boss Warren Gatland has sent Hallam Amos back to Newport Gwent Dragons to give him a selection headache – at full-back.

The 21-year-old has been left out of the matchday squad for Sunday's Six Nations opener in Ireland and will instead play for the Dragons in tomorrow's Guinness Pro12 encounter with Ulster in Belfast.

Amos has played most of his senior rugby on the wing but he has made no secret of his preferred positon being full-back.

Head coach Gatland is starting a fresh World Cup cycle and wants the dual-contracted speedster, who he has previously hailed for having dazzling footwork and a strong offloading game, to force his way in at 15.

"I know Hallam can cover on the wing and does play there but we do see his long-term position as full-back and us exploiting and working on that left foot of his," said the New Zealander.

"He is quick but he wouldn't be international wing quick so that opportunity to play more at full-back is the plan for him."

Amos' recovery from the dislocated shoulder he suffered when winning his fifth cap in the famous World Cup win against England has been swifter than expected and he has started the last three Dragons games against Castres, Sale and Leinster.

However, he has missed out on the side for the Aviva Stadium with Gatland plumping for a back three of George North, Tom James and Gareth Anscombe with Alex Cuthbert on the bench.

There is no place for Liam Williams, who returned from the foot injury he suffered at the World Cup for the Scarlets against Connacht last weekend.

"We felt with his injury during the World Cup that he wasn't quite as sharp as he needed to be," said Gatland.

"The strength of his game is hit footwork, his timing onto the ball and how explosive he is. That's what makes him special and we didn't see that at the World Cup, he just wasn't quite ready in terms of training time.

"He will do some conditioning and sharpening up to potentially be in contention for next week (against Scotland)."

Wales return to training on Wednesday ahead of their round two encounter in Cardiff so Amos could well be released again for the Dragons' Pro12 encounter with Connacht at Rodney Parade next Thursday.