BERNARD Jackman is confident a final spell with Wales Sevens at the World Cup can help Jared Rosser hit new heights at the Dragons next season.

The 20-year-old from Pontypool has been named in the national squad for this weekend's tournament in Los Angeles along with regional teammate Will Talbot-Davies and Pontypool's Ethan Davies.

Rosser made his Dragons debut in the opening game of 2017/18 and played in 25 of 31 fixtures, finishing the campaign strongly with seven tries in the last seven encounters.

That breakthrough campaign came after he gained experience with Wales on the World Rugby Sevens Series and the speedster will have one last blast in the shortened format.

In the coming campaign Rosser will face fresh competition for places out wide after the signings of Dafydd Howells and Jordan Williams, plus the return to fitness of fellow prospect George Gasson, to join Wales ace Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt.

Jackman is hopeful that this summer will help the prospect pick up where he left off in 2017/18.

"We felt that sevens helped him have a good season for us last year, it got him used to being in a professional environment and playing in big stadiums under pressure," said Jackman.

"He had a really good season for us and we looked at what was best for him again and thought the World Cup, and playing in another high-pressure competition, would be beneficial.

"Rather than doing pre-season with us, it gives us the opportunity to have a look at George Gasson, who missed most of last season with injury, and Daf Howells, who is back with the fully-fit guys now.

"It gives them more reps and we know Jared is in a really good environment where he is going to develop, then switch back into 15s.

"We feel there are areas of his game that this complements – finishing, beating people, the contact area.

"This is his last sevens experience and we feel it was a good way of dealing with his summer to accelerate his development.

"It gives us a chance to look at the new guys and gives Jared a really good mental break and the chance to play in a high-level competition."

South Wales Argus:

Rosser is joined in the squad by Talbot-Davies, who made his Dragons debut along with Leon Brown and Arwel Robson in November, 2016.

The 20-year-old full-back from Solihull made his PRO12 bow later that campaign at Glasgow but made just three outings for Jackman last season, instead spending his time on the sevens circuit.

The prospect will return to the Dragons next season with the aim of pushing Hallam Amos, Zane Kirchner and Jordan Williams for the 15 jersey.

"Will has done really well after going into sevens under the radar," said Jackman.

"We know Will is very solid and has a good physical presence at 15, but we wanted him to develop his communication and his ability to beat people.

"The feedback from (Wales coach) Gareth Williams is that he has been really good, and the fact he has been selected for the World Cup squad shows that he has impressed.

"He will come back and be one of the more experienced players in our Under-23s and I am looking forward to seeing him back."

Wales face Zimbabwe on Friday (kick-off 10.07pm) for the right to take on the hosts in the last 16 on Saturday morning (kick-off 5.37am).

The World Cup is knockout from the off and if the Welsh side lose their first game then they will enter the Bowl while a loss to the much-fancied USA would lead to a Challenge Trophy campaign.