EIGHT Dragons have been named in the Wales squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in France.

Geraint Lewis has named a 28-strong squad, captained by Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell, for the tournament that pits them against Australia, New Zealand and Japan in a tough group.

Dragons wings Rio Dyer and Joe Goodchild get the nod along with loosehead Josh Reynolds, tighthead Chris Coleman, lock/blindside Max Williams and the back row trio of Taine Basham, Lennon Greggains and Ben Fry.

Six of the youngsters were named in the Six Nations squad while Coleman, who made his regional debut against the Scarlets at Judgement Day, returns after missing that tournament with a shoulder injury.

Hartpury College student Fry, who has been featuring for Bargoed in the Premiership, impressed with a try-scoring performance in the midweek training match loss to South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park.

He is the only member of the Dragons' eight-strong contingent that didn't make his professional debut in 2017/18.

Cardiff Blues’ Dane Blacker, who played for the Dragons on loan in September, is recalled but Pontypool teenager Dan Babos, who missed the closing stages of the season with a hamstring injury, misses out.

Lewis is head coach for the tournament after taking the reins from ex-Ebbw Vale supremo Jason Strange, who is joining the Blues as backs coach next season. The former fly-half will assist the squad until the leave for France at the end of the month.

Lewis said: "We used the Six Nations to develop and observe a large group of players in preparation for the World Rugby U20 Championship.

“In doing so we've made selection a very difficult process for ourselves, but that's a positive thing. Our pool is very tough, but everyone's excited because we don't often play southern hemisphere teams.

“Experiencing a different style of play is a key aspect of our players' development."

Wales open up against Australia in Beziers on Wednesday, May 30 and are at the same venue for the clash with New Zealand on Sunday, June 3.

They round off the group stages with a clash against Japan in Perpignan on Thursday, June 7 before the semi-finals and placings play-offs.

Wales U20 squad

Forwards: Taine Basham (Dragons) Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues) Chris Coleman (Dragons) Dan Davis (Scarlets) Rhys Davies (Bath Rugby) Rhys Davies (Scarlets) Ben Fry (Dragons) Lennon Greggains (Dragons) Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues) Rhys Henry (Ospreys) Dewi Lake (Ospreys) Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Blues) Jack Pope (Bridgend) Tommy Reffell (captain, Leicester Tigers) Josh Reynolds (Dragons) Max Williams (Dragons)

Backs: Corey Baldwin (Scarlets) Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues) Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets) Dewi Cross (Ospreys) Rio Dyer (Dragons) Cai Evans (Ospreys) Joe Goodchild (Dragons) Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues) Harri Morgan (Ospreys) Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets) Ben Thomas (Cardiff Blues) Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys)