JAMES Benjamin has been backed to shine for Wales on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit if he's not in the thick of it for Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 22-year-old back row forward from Rogerstone was one of the standout players in the Welsh leg of the Singha Premiership 7s at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park last Friday.

His work at the restarts – an area of the game where the national side have struggled in the shortened format – was especially impressive, although he was unable to prevent the Dragons from enduring last-gasp heartbreak against Cardiff Blues that signalled the end of the defence of the title.

Benjamin, a member of the team that triumphed at the Twickenham Stoop in 2015, featured in three tournaments for Wales Sevens last season, playing 15 matches and helping them win the Bowl in the Twickenham leg.

He is set for another tussle with Nic Cudd and Ollie Griffiths for the start at openside this season and Nick Wakley, his Dragons sevens coach, believes his exploits in the capital will have caught the eye of both his regional bosses and the international management team.

"James Benjamin is a class act, you see him and think he could be a centre with that ability," said the Ebbw Vale backs coach.

"You can't ignore someone with that skill set; he is great at the breakdown, can offload, carry, is very good in the air at the kick-offs considering he is not a 6ft 2ins player and has a great engine.

"I can see him pushing for a starting spot at the Dragons but on the flip side could easily see him on the sevens circuit. It's a great position for him to be in, he has got two avenues to go down."

Wakley was disappointed that the Dragons defence of their title ended so early – they were left to lament a tough schedule and two yellow cards in the loss to the Blues – but he was also impressed by one of the region's new boys.

Hooker Darran Harris signed this summer from Rotherham and the 23-year-old, who will be battling with Elliot Dee, Rhys Thomas and Rhys Buckley at the heart of the front row, put himself about in the capital.

"I really liked the look of Darran," said Wakley. "He can get around the paddock, is mobile and has great feet. He really put the graft it."