PROMISING tighthead Leon Brown has been named as the Principality Premiership player of the month for October for his exploits with Cross Keys, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 19-year-old Dragons academy prop from Maesglas has been in fine form to help the Pandy Park side climb to second in the table with a run of eight league wins on the spin.

Brown, a member of the Wales Under-20s Junior World Championship squad last summer, also represented the Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select side in their British and Irish Cup win against Jersey on Sunday.

He said: "I'm really grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for Cross Keys by (head coach) Greg Woods and (director of rugby) Jonathan Westwood. We've enjoyed a good run of form with some pleasing wins which always helps.

"Greg has helped me a lot and Cross Keys' style of rugby makes it easy for forwards like me to get involved in the game and make an impact.

"At the moment I just want to keep playing and take the opportunities that come my way in terms of the Principality Premiership and the British & Irish Cup. If I can produce consistent performances, hopefully I will get some game time for Wales Under 20 in the Six Nations.

"Ultimately my aim is to play professional, regional rugby and playing Principality Premiership and British & Irish Cup are all stepping stones towards that."

Woods has tipped Brown for a bright future and said: "Leon is a fantastic tighthead for his young age. He is the perfect build, has an outstanding work rate and really enjoys the set piece, which is refreshing for a young prop.

"He has certainly brought energy to our pack and, if he keeps improving, he has a really long future in the professional game ahead of him. The Dragons are watching him and I think he just needs to keep his head down."