NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Tyler Morgan has been called up to Wales’ World Cup training squad after being pulled out of the Under-20s squad for the Junior World Championship because of Jonathan Davies’ injury blow.

Morgan had been scheduled to travel to Italy on Thursday with the rest of the junior squad for the two-week tournament but will instead play a full part in preparations for England 2015 with Warren Gatland seniors.

The 19-year-old from Caerleon, who is on a national dual contract, will be a member of the extended training squad that travels to Switzerland and Qatar next month and is likely to win his first cap when Wales play warm-up games against Ireland (home and away) and Italy.

That is because Wales have received a hammer blow with Davies ruled out of the tournament after rupturing knee ligaments playing for Clermont Auvergne.

Scott Williams is now in pole position to be Jamie Roberts’ midfield partner but there is a vacancy in the 31-man squad that Morgan, an unused member of Gatland’s Six Nations squad, can fill.

The teenager enjoyed a superb season with the Dragons, making 17 appearances and playing a key role as the region progressed the European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final.

Gatland said: “Although we are disappointed by the injury to Jonathan Davies we are delighted to have a player of Tyler’s calibre and potential to call on.

“It is unfortunate that he will miss out on the Junior World Championship but the decision we have taken now will give him the chance to focus entirely on this opportunity.

“I want to thank the Under-20s coaching and management team for responding so positively to our request and this is another example of how our pathway and national dual contract structure works to the benefit of Welsh international rugby.”

Morgan’s Dragons teammate Barney Nightingale, 18, has been named as Morgan’s replacement for the Junior World Championship.

Gatland will name the rest of his training squad on Monday, June 8 with uncapped Dragons centre Jack Dixon, 20, also set to profit from Davies’ injury misfortune.