DRAGONS skipper Cory Hill has been named as co-captain for Wales’ summer tour to face South Africa and Argentina.

The 26-year-old from Pontypridd has been given the honour along with Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins, while his Rodney Parade teammates Elliot Dee and Hallam Amos also get the call for the 31-strong squad.

As expected, Warren Gatland has given the majority of his seasoned campaigners the summer off in the lead up to next year’s World Cup.

Whoever gets the nod as Alun Wyn Jones’ deputy against the Springboks in Washington will become the 135th man to lead Wales, with Hill aiming to become the first captain from the Dragons since Michael Owen against France in the 2006 Six Nations.

The lock is rewarded for becoming an increasingly influential under Gatland since his first call-up in the autumn of 2016. Hill has won 15 caps and has featured in every Test this season.

Hooker Dee made his Test bow in the autumn and the 24-year-old from Newbridge likely to add to his tally of seven caps in the 2 jersey in the absence of rested Lions ace Ken Owens.

Amos looks set to play at full-back after enduring a frustrating Six Nations. The 23-year-old from Cross Ash enjoyed an excellent autumn campaign but slipped down the pecking order after an ankle injury in December.

Dragons-bound back row forward Ross Moriarty, who will take on Cardiff Blues with Gloucester in Friday's European Challenge Cup final, is included.

Former Dragons captain Luke Charteris, now with Bath, gets a recall while full-back Tom Prydie, who swapped Rodney Parade for the Scarlets last summer, is included.

Forwards:
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (18 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (7 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (2 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (31 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (38 Caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (62 Caps)
Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (4 Caps)
Luke Charteris (Bath) (74 Caps)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (15 Caps) (Co-Captain)
James Davies (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps) (Co-Captain)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (20 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (17 Caps)`

Backs:
Aled Davies (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (32 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (*Uncapped)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (15 Caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (55 Caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (4 Caps)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (55 Caps)
Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) (2 Caps)
Hallam Amos (Dragons) (15 Caps)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
George North (Northampton Saints) (73 Caps)
Tom Prydie (Scarlets) (7 Caps)