NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Jack Dixon has been released from Wales’ World Cup training squad – along with Lions Richard Hibbard, James Hook and Mike Phillips.

The 20-year-old from Newbridge is among eight players who have been sent back to their regions after taking part in the conditioning camps in Switzerland, Qatar and north Wales.

Uncapped Dixon has impressed Warren Gatland and his coaching team but is seen as one for the future and won’t be going to England 2015 unless there are injuries.

The axing of fly-half Hook will come as no surprise while scrum-half Phillips was under pressure for his spot from Lloyd Williams.

However, the preference of Kristian Dacey to Hibbard at hooker is a shock, despite the Gloucester man’s shaky display in last weekend’s thumping at the hands of Ireland.

Gatland has also released loosehead prop Nicky Smith, lock Rory Thornton, number eight Dan Baker and fly-half Rhys Patchell.

“It’s been a difficult task reducing the squad down and deciding who will meet up with us again on Monday,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“All the players involved over the past eight weeks have put a huge amount of effort in.  The intensity and dedication from the players out in Switzerland and Qatar has been really impressive.

“That makes our job a lot harder but as we continue to move into our rugby focused phase of training its important we reduce the squad number down.

“There will be disappointment from the players but its important to stress that the door is not closed.  We name our final Rugby World Cup squad on August 31st and a lot can happen between now and then.

“As a squad we will now meet up again on Monday to continuing preparing for Ireland away which is just over a fortnight away.”

Newport Gwent Dragons supply three members of Gatland’s remaining 38 – shoo-in number eight Taulupe Faletau, wing Hallam Amos and centre/wing Tyler Morgan.

Wales squad

Forwards (21): Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospresy), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues)
 
Backs (17): Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).