NEWPORT Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones believes hooker Elliot Dee is in the mix for Wales selection after making a superb start to the season.

The 20-year-old from Newbridge has started three of the region's four Guinness Pro12 games and was excellent in Sunday's morale-boosting 33-15 win against Treviso.

Dee has been thriving from his tussle for the number 2 jersey with former international Rhys Thomas and after playing for Wales Under-20s in the last two Junior World Championships could be a dark horse to make the next step.

Warren Gatland will be without Ken Owens for the November Tests against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa after the Scarlets captain suffered a neck injury in training.

That leaves the Wales coach with Richard Hibbard, Matthew Rees, Scott Baldwin and Emyr Phillips as his options – along with Dee according to his Dragons boss.

"I am really pleased with Elliot," said Jones. "He was outstanding against Treviso at the weekend and he is pushing his claims for a Welsh place.

"He is a mature young man who is extremely physical and dynamic in everything he does and got through a lot of work.

"It's a great combination at hooker with Rhys Thomas, who is an experienced player who can step up and also do a good job."

Jones was also delighted with the performance of 20-year-old Wales wing Hallam Amos, who got the ball rolling with a pair of tries in the first half.

"Hallam did well and I was pleased with his game, not because of his tries but his responsibility," said Jones.

"He didn't throw any silly passes, he didn't run into touch and we were able to build phases from his positive play. He is moving in the right direction."

Amos, who was capped against Tonga last autumn, is hopeful the win over the struggling Italians will be a springboard for success in upcoming away games against the Scarlets and Edinburgh.

"It was a huge win ahead of a big Welsh derby," he said. "We had three tough games (at Connacht and against the unbeaten Ospreys and Glasgow) so it was important to get the win and to get a bonus point was even better."