EIGHT Dragons have been called up by Wales for the U20 Six Nations and will be coached by legendary prop Gethin Jenkins.

The iconic front rower is a new addition to Gareth Williams' management team and will look after defence while former Dragons wing/full-back Richard Fussell has joined as attack coach.

They will be passing their experience on to the Rodney Parade prospects with centre Aneurin Owen set to be a key figure after being ever-present in last year's tournament.

He is joined in the 33-strong squad by wing Ewan Rosser, younger brother of Dragons speedster Jared, and scrum-half Dafydd Buckland.

Up front there are five Dragons in prop Dylan Bartlett, hookers Will Griffiths and Brodie Coghlan, lock Ben Carter and back row forward Benji Hoppe.

Head coach Williams believes the squad is "well-balance and exciting" but says the door remains open for youngsters to force their way into the reckoning for this summer's World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

"We've been through the identification process thoroughly and it has resulted in us arriving at this stage of the Six Nations," said Williams.

"There are still a lot of players out there that are still in contention for the Junior World Cup and it's a case of keeping that identification going while competing in this Six Nations period."

Key figures could be fly-halves Ioan Lloyd and Sam Costelow who have gained invaluable experience this season with their clubs Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers respectively while back row Jac Morgan has starred for the Scarlets after several eye-catching performances in last summer's U20 World Rugby Championship in Argentina.

"It will be brilliant to tap into the exposure they have gained," said Williams. "It's a big compliment on those boys, they are obvious talents and we can take advantage of that so it will be great to have them amongst the squad.

"The relationships with Bristol, Bath and Leicester and English clubs in general have been fantastic to be fair so we are excited to welcome those boys into the squad.

"Jac has just kicked on, he did superbly in the World Cup last year and he has taken his opportunity at the Scarlets and it is great to see."

Wales will play their home games against Italy, France and Scotland in Colwyn Bay.

Wales U20 squad

Full-backs/Wings: Dan John (Millfield School), Josh Thomas (Ospreys), Ewan Rosser (Dragons), Callum Williams (Scarlets), Harri Doel (Scarlets), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol)

Centres: Bradley Roderick(Ospreys), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Osian Knott (Scarlets)

Fly-halves: Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), Luke Scully (Worcester), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Blues)

Scrum-halves: Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons)

Props: Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Callum Williams (Scarlets), Archie Griffin (Bath), Harri O Connor (Scarlets), Dylan Bartlett (Dragons)

Hookers: Dom Booth (Scarlets), Will Griffiths (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan Dragons)

Second Row: James Fender (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Jac Price (Scarlets)

Back row: Travis Huntley (Ospreys), Morgan Strong (Ospreys), Gwilym Bradley (Cardiff Blues), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jac Morgan (Scarlets - CAPT), Benji Hoppe (Dragons)