WHILE much of the talk at a press conference yesterday centred around the decision to grant Wales’ grand statesman Martyn Williams his 100th cap against the Barbarians next month, caretaker head coach Rob Howley also revealed how two Newport Gwent Dragons 17-year-olds have made him sit up and take notice.

They are young enough to be 36-year-old Williams’ sons but if the great openside represents the past then full back Hallam Amos and centre Jack Dixon are very much the players of tomorrow.

Howley, who takes over the reigns this summer from Warren Gatland who broke his heels in an accident last month, saw the pair in action during the Dragons’ home defeat to Leinster and said they are on his radar.

The former Wales and Lions scrum half came to Rodney Parade to keep an eye on the Dragons’ Grand Slam back row stars Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau.

But other players impressed him too ahead of Wales’ match with the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on June 2 before the three-Test tour of Australia later next month.

“I think Aled Brew played particularly well on the left wing (as did) Will Harries, Jack Dixon, who came on off the bench, and Hallam Amos – those last two are still very young but they are developing young talents,” Howley said.

“I was pleased with what I saw with young Amos on Saturday evening.

“He looked comfortable under the high ball and worked very hard off the ball and he’s got a good set of skills.

“I think the one thing at this young age is that you need to play – they’ve been integrated into the Dragons region over the last six months and they’ve played at age grade level so they’ve played at the same level as their peers.

“The one thing which Warren Gatland hasn’t been afraid to do is to throw in young boys and to give young talent a chance.”

Under Gatland, hugely promising players like Leigh Halfpenny and George North have been capped as teenagers, going on to realise their enormous potential.

However, Howley made no mention of Dragons outside centre Adam Hughes or openside Lewis Evans who were both being backed as outsiders to win their first caps this summer.

- Wales have been boosted by the news Grand Slam-winning captain Sam Warburton will be fit to lead them on their Australia tour.

Howley confirmed yesterday medics have given the openside flanker the all-clear to face the Wallabies after recovering from a nerve problem in his shoulder sustained in the 16-9 victory over France in March.