DRAGONS Cory Hill, Elliot Dee and Hallam Amos have been named in Wales’ squad for the Six Nations.

Warren Gatland has named a 39-man squad that features two uncapped players – Scarlets flanker James Davies and Worcester wing Josh Adams.

Amos is named in the squad despite currently being sidelined by an ankle strain suffered in the closing stages of the New Year’s Eve loss to the Ospreys in Newport.

The 23-year-old played in all four autumn Tests to move to 15 caps, scoring against Australia and Georgia from the left wing.

He is included along with Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Steff Evans, Alex Cuthbert and Adams.

Dee has successfully fought off the challenge of rivals Kristian Dacey and Ryan Elias to keep his place in the squad after winning his first cap off the bench against Georgia in the autumn and having a second cameo in the win against South Africa.

The 23-year-old from Newbridge and Ospreys front rower Scott Baldwin, who is recalled to the squad, will try to put the heat on Lions ace Ken Owens.

Dragons captain Hill is named in a Wales squad for the fifth time on the bounce and will hope to add to his tally of 10 caps. He will battle with Adam Beard, Bradley Davies and Seb Davies to get game time alongside skipper Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.

“We have selected a larger squad and it is an opportunity for us to work with a wider group and continue building for the next 18 months," said Gatland.

"It's important to have a group of players who are used to the environment, know what is expected and are familiar with things and that will really benefit us going forward.

“We have included a couple of players who are carrying injuries.  With Taulupe (Faletau) we are hoping he will be available towards the end of the campaign and Rhys (Priestland) picked up a knock at the weekend so we will see where he is at.  

"It's useful to have these experienced guys around camp and to have them included and to work with them.

“Last autumn was about exposing and developing players as part of the two-year countdown to the RWC, the next couple of months are about testing those players in tournament rugby – we know how important the Six Nations is.”

Tighthead Leon Brown misses out as he hasn’t played since suffering a concussion when winning his third cap against New Zealand while centre Tyler Morgan, who was named in the autumn squad only to suffer an ankle injury against the Ospreys in October, is also left out.

Dragons-bound Ross Moriarty is included after missing the autumn campaign with a back problem.

WALES SQUAD – 2018 NatWest Six Nations
Forwards (21):

Rob Evans (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets (5 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (16 Caps)
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (34 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (2 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (52 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (26 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (34 Caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (10 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (113 Caps) (CAPT)
James Davies (Scarlets) (*Uncapped)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (70 Caps)
Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (5 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (17 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (52 Caps)
 
Backs (18):
Aled Davies (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (31 Caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (60 Caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Rhys Priestland (Bath) (50 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) (*Uncapped)
Hallam Amos (Dragons) (15 Caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (47 Caps)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (74 Caps)
George North (Northampton Saints) (69 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (45 Caps)