IDEAL conditions at a fantastic stadium, on a terrific surface against top quality opposition; Monday night at the Twickenham Stoop was the perfect testing ground for Newport Gwent Dragons' young talent.

The 80 minutes against a Harlequins side featuring a number of seasoned Aviva Premiership campaigners would have been both an eye-opener and exhilarating for the academy prospects that took to the field.

And for the Dragons' more experienced first team players – Hugh Gustafson, Ross Wardle, the Jones brothers, James Benjamin, Lloyd Fairbrother – it was a clash against strong opposition to help any claims for a recall.

Quins, with their bigger budget, were undoubtedly the stronger side and tested their visitors with an expansive game.

However, the men from Rodney Parade acquitted themselves well, displaying tenacity in defence to keep the score respectable and then determination to have the final say through teenage centre Barney Nightingale.

It was a game that left everybody content and pleased with their evening's work; plenty learnt by coaches and players plus lots to work on.

The change that will see the regional quartet taking more control of the British and Irish Cup is a step in the right direction towards bridging the gap between the Principality Premiership – which is still a very useful development tool – and the Guinness Pro12.

But it would be terrific if there were more regular games against English opposition – Pro Rugby Wales, with the Welsh Rugby Union aiding their cause, should be asking the Aviva Premiership if they could not only join their summer 7s tournament but their A League.

How good would it be to welcome Gloucester United, Worcester Cavaliers, Bristol United, Exeter Braves over the border on Monday nights as a freebie on a season ticket?

It would require a bit of joined-up thinking with the Principality Premiership clubs but anything to help close the chasm to full-time rugby must be grasped and the A team experience would reduce the risk of wasting talent.

Because there is an element of sink or swim in Welsh rugby at the moment.

Ashton Hewitt is enjoying a highly promising start to the season on the Dragons wing but there were times last season when the 20-year-old from Caerleon looked lively yet too raw.

Thankfully he hasn't been knocked back by a few hairy moments and is continuing to learn on the job in the Pro12, playing with confidence and running hard.

Not everyone is so fortunate and rather than flinging talent in at the deep end, more vibrant fixtures against quality English foes would help on two fronts, developing youngsters while giving first teamers the chance to show they should be brought in from the fringes.