NEWPORT Gwent Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt is looking to land another blow for the little man when he lines up against London Welsh at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).

The 20-year-old from Caerleon will make his third appearance on the spin after committed displays against Stade Francais and Exeter.

The modern game sees plenty of big men flying down the wing with all four speedsters at the Millennium Stadium last night standing above 6ft.

Hewitt may only be 5ft 11ins and 12st 6ins but he has shown when given the chance at regional level that he won’t hold back.

He said: “Wingers these days are big blokes but I back myself to hold my own and won’t shy away from the challenge. I can handle myself I think!”

But it’s quick feet rather than the Samoan sidestep that is most effective for Hewitt.

“The coaches encourage us to play to our strengths and I’d say it’s when I am in space,” he said. “I’m quite explosive and powerful and I back myself in one-on-ones.”

The former Wales Under-20s winger is in position to profit from the absence of his fellow young gun Hallam Amos, who is currently with Wales for the Six Nations campaign.

Time will tell if he is released from duty for next weekend’s Guinness Pro12 encounter at Leinster but Hewitt is desperate to grasp his chance.

“I played under-16s and 18s with Hallam and then he took that step above most of our age group,” said Hewitt.

“He has gone away with Wales and it gives me a chance to get on the left wing and show what I can do.

“It’s good to get back in the squad for the LV= Cup, it’s a chance for lots of us to put our hands up and I felt that I did that against Exeter with a decent performance.

“Our aim is to impress and get in the squad for the Pro12 by giving the coaches the confidence to select us for the big games.”

Centre Pat Leach makes his first appearance of the season against Welsh after recovering from knee ligament damage suffered in the pre-season win against Northampton.

Director Lyn Jones has next weekend’s tricky trip to Leinster on his mind by bringing back a number of first-teamers, plumping for his first-choice tight five.

Blindside Lewis Evans makes his last appearance before an operation to rectify ligament damage at blindside while New Zealander Nick Crosswell moves to number eight after an impressive debut at 6.

Loosehead Boris Stankovich makes a welcome return among the replacements after three months on the sidelines.

The Dragons cannot qualify for the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh competitions while Welsh are still striving for their first win of the season after enduring 22 losses.

Dragons: T Prydie, M Pewtner, P Leach, A Smith, A Hewitt, A O’Brien, L Jones, P Price, R Thomas, B Harris, A Coombs, R Landman (captain), L Evans, J Benjamin, N Crosswell. Replacements: R Buckley, B Stankovich, D Way, I Gough, S Matthews, R Rees, J Tovey, J Dixon.

London Welsh: W Robinson, E Kear, N Reynolds, S Jewell (captain), N Scott, T Roberts, P Weepu, N Trevett, N Morris, T Vea, B West, J Down, P Browne, R Thorpe, O Fonua. Replacements: R Elloway, E Aholelei, J Gilding, M Corker, J Liston, A Davies, O Barkley, J Tincknell.

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues has been given a Saturday lunchtime slot.

The Welsh derby at Rodney Parade will kick-off at 12.45pm on Saturday, April 4 and will be televised on BT Sport.

For full ticket details go to southwalesargus.co.uk/sport