NEWPORT Gwent Dragons academy chief James Chapron says a glut of talented centres in Gwent means Barney Nightingale must be prepared to face a “tough challenge” if he is to make the step up to regional rugby at senior level.

However, Chapron added that if he continues to perform as he has been this season then the 19-year-old can follow in the footsteps of those that have graduated from the academy in recent years, including the likes of Ashton Hewitt and Elliot Dee.

Nightingale scored a hat-trick for the Dragons Premiership Select XV against Ealing Trailfinders in the British & Irish Cup last weekend, those tries coming on the back of a brace in the defeat to Bedford seven days earlier.

Asked what chance the Cross Keys clubman had of progressing through the ranks, Chapron said: “It’s hard to say. The competition is a step up from the Premiership and if you perform at this level you should put your hand up, but the problem is we’ve got a lot of high quality centres in our region.

“There’s Sam Beard, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon etc who are all very good players, so it’s a tough challenge for Barney but all he can do is play well. He just needs to keep plugging away.

“If you look at people like Aston Hewitt and Elliot Dee, they made the step up from the academy to the seniors and there is a track record there.

“Barney’s just got to prove it time in and time out over the next six months that he can perform at that level.”

Fly-half Arwel Robson also stood out in the 28-27 loss to Ealing and could have won the match but for a missed last-gasp penalty.

“I’ve got no doubt that Arwel will be a very good player in the next few years,” added Chapron. “He showed flashes of brilliance that most people can’t do and would give their right arm for.

“But he has just got to learn those little things and that’s why we play in this competition, to expose these boys to a higher level where errors can cost you a lot. In the Premiership you might get away with it.”