FIVE Newport Gwent Dragons youngsters have been named in the Wales Under-20s squad for the Six Nations.

Head coach Jason Strange, who left his role as Ebbw Vale boss for a permanent job with the Welsh Rugby Union last summer, has opted for tighthead Leon Brown, lock Bryce Morgan, back row forward Harri Keddie, centre/wing Barney Nightingale and wing George Gasson in a 31-strong squad.

Brown has been making waves in the Cross Keys front row this season while blindside/number eight Keddie, who is with Ebbw Vale, is set to be a key figure in the back row alongside captain Tom Phillips.

Nightingale and Morgan have helped Newport have a strong first half of the Principality Premiership while Gasson has been impressing on the wing for Bedwas.

The quintet hope to ensure they feature in the World Rugby Under-20s Championship in Manchester, which pits them against New Zealand, Ireland and Georgia, by performing well in the Six Nations.

Brown, Keddie and Nightingale played in the global tournament last summer and Strange wants to give the majority of his squad the chance to force their way in.

“We will look to expose as many players as possible to this level of rugby during the Six Nations tournament, with one eye firmly fixed on the World Rugby U20 Championship in England in June,” he said.

He continued: “We are genuinely enthused by the potential quality in the squad, and excited at the prospect of competing in the Under 20 Six Nations which is such a competitive tournament and a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills.”

Wales open their campaign against Ireland at Donnybrook on Friday, February 5 (kick-off 7.35pm) before welcoming Scotland to Colwyn Bay the following Friday (kick-off 6.30pm).

They face France at Parc Eirias on Saturday, February 27 (kick-off 7.45pm), travel to Bristol to face England on Friday, March 11 and end with a home tie up north against Italy on Friday, March 18.

Wales Under 20 Six Nations squad

Forwards:Tom Phillips (captain, Scarlets), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets), Corey Domachowski (Blues), Leon Brown (Dragons), Kieron Assiratti (Blues), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets), Ifan Phillips (Scarlets), Tim Grey (RGC 1404), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bryce Morgan (Dragons), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Blues), Shaun Evans (Scarlets), Harrison Keddie (Dragons), Morgan Sieniawski (Blues)

Backs: Declan Smith (Scarlets), Cameron Davies (RGC 1404), Daniel Jones (Scarlets), Billy McBryde (Scarlets), Jarrod Evans (Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Kieran Williams (Ospreys), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Barney Nightingale (Dragons), Harri Millard (Blues), Elis-Wyn Benham (Blues), Tom Williams (Ospreys), George Gasson (Dragons), Keelan Giles (Ospreys), Rhun Williams (RGC 1404), Joe Gage (Ospreys)