COACH Chris Horsman believes there is a rich seam of front row talent coming through with Wales Under-20s – and is delighted that Nicky Smith is acting as their inspiration.

Ospreys loosehead Smith was part of the strong-scrummaging unit that impressed at last year's Junior World Championship and after a super start to the campaign won a pair of caps for Warren Gatland's seniors last autumn.

Horsman believes his rapid rise shows the next generation of Under-20s – who include Dragons props Luke Garrett, Alex Jeffries, Keagan Bale, Leon Brown and Luke Leddington – that they can swiftly bridge the gap to the professional ranks.

"It's great to have someone from season's group already capped by the seniors," said the former tighthead, who played 14 times for Wales.

"That's the carrot for these guys – international rugby is not a million miles away. We try to replicate the intensity and push them as hard as the national team so that the transition through is better and quicker.

"We've looked at the succession play and we have a lot of great front row players coming through. That's great for me and it's not just a case of working with them in the under-20s sessions, it's going out for one-on-ones and scrum clinics.

"We are really starting to build and get that learning because the development is a bit more stages for a front rower, and especially props.

"A winger can be playing international rugby at 20, 21, 22 but it takes longer in the front row and that's my role, to mentor them and help them realise the mistakes they've made and how they can deal with it."

Wales' chances of winning the Six Nations title may be slim but tonight's game against Ireland in Colwyn Bay (kick-off 7.45pm) is a key part of the build-up to the Junior World Championship.

The Welsh youngsters have been given a rough draw for the tournament in Italy where they will lock horns with England and France as well as Japan.

"We want a winning team but we don't want to sacrifice player development," said Horsman. "We have to challenge and stress this group because they need to learn in terms of tactical and technical knowledge."

Seven Dragons feature with Garrett, lock Joe Davies and back row forwards Harri Keddie and Ollie Griffiths starting and centre Barney Nightingale on the bench along with Bale and Jeffries.

Wales Under-20s: J Gage (Ospreys), J Adams (Scarlets), O Watkin (Ospreys), G Smith (Blues), R Williams (Leicester), J Evans (Blues), T Williams (Blues); L Garrett (Dragons), R Elias (Scarlets), D Lewis (Blues), J Davies (Dragons), R Thornton (captain, Ospreys), H Keddie (Dragons) O Griffiths (Dragons), J Fox (Ospreys).

Replacements: L Belcher (Blues), K Bale (Dragons), A Jeffries (Dragons), A Beard (Ospreys), J Viggers (Blues), K Hardy (Scarlets), D Jones (Scarlets), B Nightingale (Dragons).