RHYS Thomas, the only Newport Gwent Dragons player in Wales' Six Nations squad, has issued a heartfelt plea to the board - help us by strengthening the team.

Thomas has been with the Dragons since the outset four-and-a-half years ago and made his first start for Wales against South Africa, the country of his birth, in November.

He alone of the Dragons has retained his place in new coach Warren Gatland's first squad for the championship which starts against England at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

But Thomas clearly implies it is a losing battle at the Dragons and says morale is being damaged by the impending loss of players while it appears little is being done to attract new ones for badly needed squad strengthening.

"It needs a massive change, anyone can see that," said Thomas, a 25-year-old tight head prop who signed a new two-year contract last summer.

"There is only so much a squad can do, they can't ask for any more from us than we are giving. Every game every week we are giving 150%, and we've got a lot of injuries with a small squad. Sometimes it gets to the point where we feel we can do with a bit more help. And some players are leaving so it leaves a bad feeling, it's not the type of atmosphere you want around your squad, it creates a negative environment.

"It's blatantly obvious the squad needs a lot of strengthening, not with one or two new players but more like seven or eight."

Thomas suffered a miserable time last season when his career was even threatened by a chest complaint which kept him out for eight months.

He was handed a huge boost on his return by being picked for the Wales tour to Australia, but suffered more heartache when he suffered knee ligament damage and had to withdraw.

But he was quick off the mark this season and earned selection for the game against the world champions, but has been troubled by a rib injury since the Llanelli Scarlets game on New Year's Day.

It threatens to sideline him at least for the start of the Six Nations. "I'm training, the injury is not serious but it just depends on whether it's OK when I scrummage," he said.

"I'm happy to be in the squad, though I'm not expecting anything. Just because I started against South Africa it doesn't mean I will start against England.

"There are new coaches, it's a new regime and I've got to train hard to try to put my hand up."

Thomas backs the arrival of new coach Gatland and defence chief Shaun Edwards. "It's a totally different atmosphere, though it was good under Gareth Jenkins and Nigel Davies, but Warren and Shane seem really nice guys but with a hard edge," he said.

"I hope their attitude rubs off on us. Shaun will bring that edge to the defence and it will be more aggressive and with Warren will make us a better team.

"They've obviously got a good relationship and hopefully it will rub off on this environment."