SAM Warburton declared "my wingman is back" when Dan Lydiate returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for almost the entire 2012/13 season to earn selection for the Lions tour.

Every openside needs a good blindside next to them if they are to shine and that has been the case with Wales Under-20s this Six Nations.

Ollie Griffiths has produced four exceptional performances with last weekend's man of the match display against Ireland prompting Wales great Martyn Williams to declare that Newport Gwent Dragons have got a star on their hands.

But his back row colleagues have also impressed with his regional teammate Harri Keddie doing a fine job at six against the Irish after wearing eight on his back against England, Scotland and France.

Griffiths has undoubtedly been Wales' star of the Six Nations and Keddie says the performances of the 19-year-old openside are driving on the rest of the team, who finish the campaign in Italy on Friday night (kick-off 6pm).

"Ollie has a really good tournament and has led from the front," said the 18-year-old from Llanvaches. "He is a great example to the rest of the boys, especially us first years.

"He deserves the plaudits because he has been a standout performer in all the games and having players standing out helps raise the intensity and I think that the pack has been really strong this year."

Keddie, unlike Griffiths, has another year at Under-20s level and his displays should ensure he is in the squad for June's Junior World Championship in Italy.

The former Rougemont and Coleg Gwent pupil said: "It's been a great first experience of Under-20s rugby and we have put in two great performances to beat England and Ireland at Parc Eirias, where the crowd have been fantastic.

"It would be great to go to the Junior World Championship because that's the highest achievement you can get at this level and hopefully I can keep improving."

And Keddie doesn't just feel that his development is down to hard graft on international duty, the Dragons academy prospect has been driven on by the desire to be part of Ebbw Vale's push for the Principality Premiership playoffs.

"You have to earn your spot in the squad at Ebbw Vale and that's not easy," said Keddie.

"At times in training the intensity is almost like a game because the squad is strong and all the boys get stick into each other. There's no holding back."

There will be seven Dragons young guns involved against Italy with prop Luke Garrett, lock Joe Davies and Keddie and Griffiths starting while prop Keagan Bale, scrum-half Owen Davies and centre/wing Barney Nightingale are among the replacements.