NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones believes all-action flanker Ollie Griffiths is playing himself into contention for a place on Wales' summer tour.

The uncapped 21-year-old from Newbridge produced his second successive stunning performance in defeat in Ireland on Saturday, backing up an energetic display in Munster by shining in the 14-9 loss to Connacht in Galway.

The former Wales Under-20s flanker joined forces with openside Nic Cudd and number eight Lewis Evans to cause the Guinness PRO12 champions plenty of headaches at the breakdown while he was destructive with and without the ball.

With Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau almost certain to be on the Lions' tour to New Zealand, potentially with Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, Griffiths is yet another option for Wales' Tests against Samoa and Tonga.

Back row competition is fierce with James King, Thomas Young, Olly Cracknell, Ellis Jenkins, James Davies and Will Boyde also in the mix but the versatile Dragons prospect, who had made 15 appearances this season, is turning heads.

"We are lucky with flankers in Wales, the list is almost endless and on any day they are all exceptional players," said Jones, himself a former international back rower.

"I guess it's who can be the most consistent, the most durable and get the most game time to put their hand up.

"Let's hope Ollie plays as well as he has been for the rest of the season. If he does that then he has every chance of a place on that tour.

"The biggest complement that you can give him for a player of 21 is that he doesn't have a poor game. He's either outstanding or good and that's hugely positive for a young player, while he is so good to coach because he takes things on board straight away."

Griffiths will be a leading figure as the Dragons attempt to end a five-game losing streak against Leinster in Newport on Friday.

Jones is demanding that his players add composure to their endeavour after they failed to convert pressure into a try in a stirring second half at the Sportsground.

"I am proud of the team," said the head coach. "Their breakdown work, defensive lineout, attitude and application was excellent.

"Sometimes we are lacking a bit of technical detail but they make up for it in passion and guts. It's just that little bit of patience on the try line that is missing.

"I am disappointed with the scoreboard but not with their application. There were chances on that try line when a metre out when we needed to be more patient and also to have a better work rate to give the half-backs options.

"We've got to take the positives to Leinster on Friday, it's a short week and there are things we have to improve on while repeating the good things."

Fly-half Dorian Jones was forced off with a head injury in the opening exchanges in Galway. If he fails to recover for Leinster then Carl Meyer is likely to be Angus O'Brien's back-up as Nick Macleod and Geraint Rhys Jones are injured and Arwel Robson is on Wales Under-20s duty