SPEEDSTER Ashton Hewitt is targeting a flying finish to the season with the Dragons to earn another crack with Wales after the rare experience of being overtaken.

The 23-year-old winger from Newport was called up for the 2016 Six Nations only for a concussion to force him to pull out of the squad.

That blow to the head also denied him the chance to press for a first cap on the summer tour to face Samoa and Tonga, and he has fallen down the pecking order since.

The Scarlets' Steff Evans has cemented himself in Warren Gatland's squad while in-form Worcester wing Josh Adams made his Test debut in the Six Nations.

However, Hewitt is hoping to force his way back into the Test management's thinking for this summer given that Gatland has already revealed he is likely to leave many of his Lions contingent, which features Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and George North, at home.

With Alex Cuthbert also unavailable for Wales selection after signing for Exeter, opportunity could yet knock for the June dates against South Africa and Argentina, especially with a big date against the Scarlets at Judgement Day to come.

"Competition in the back three has grown over the last year with Josh, who has been playing really well, and Steff, who has established himself," said Hewitt, who is also behind Dragons teammate Hallam Amos.

"Before the Six Nations [in 2016] when I didn't get my chance, me and Steff were on a par and you probably wouldn't have been able to say who would get that first opportunity.

"They've overtaken me and had their opportunity but if a couple of back three players are missing out this year it would be great to have the chance to go on tour.

"Whether I'd play if I did go would be another question again. I don't like to think about it too much and if I do my job here then the rest will take care of itself.

"It's good that Steff has been a new face in the Wales team; they have given him a run of games, and deservedly so.

"That goes to show that Wales are giving opportunities, but if I am not performing week to week then I won't get my chance. All I can do is keep plugging away."

Hewitt earned his Six Nations call-up thanks to some livewire displays but he admits he hasn't quite hit top gear in 2017/18 despite scoring seven tries in 18 games.

"It's been frustrating because I've had some minor injuries that have kept me out for a week or so and slowed my momentum," he admitted.

"That isn't like me. I just have to put that behind me, stay fit and concentrate on doing what I can to help the Dragons win these remaining games.

"It's been frustrating personally and I haven't got what I wanted to out of this season, but I just have to look forward to next year."

The Dragons finish with a double-header in Italy against Benetton and Zebre then a clash with the Scarlets at Judgement Day.

l Team news for Italy on page 36