NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Tyler Morgan knows that a dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union does not provide a Six Nations shortcut, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 19-year-old is the only uncapped player to have signed a dual deal and will get another chance to show his potential when he lines up against the Ospreys' international centre Ashley Beck on Sunday.

Warren Gatland has long been an admirer of Morgan thanks to his exploits in age-grade rugby and the Wales boss said he would have included the teenager from Caerleon in his squad for the autumn internationals were it not for a knee injury.

But the national side are blessed with options in midfield with Lions pair Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies being kept on their toes by Scott Williams, Cory Allen and George North, meaning there is little danger of Morgan getting carried away by Gatland's words of praise.

"It's nice to hear and it does give me confidence but I can't let it go to my head. I can't go onto the field thinking I am better than I am," he said.

"I'll keep my feet on the ground and keep training hard. You've got to earn your place with Wales, there's no chance of going straight in.

"There's a bit of pressure to perform (because of the contract) but I try not to think about it and take things game by game.

"It's nice to be back in the 13 jersey after injury and I have to try and secure my spot there now by playing to the best of my ability."

Morgan, who could feature in the Under-20s Six Nations if not needed by Gatland, will be at the heart of the Dragons' efforts to improve their woeful Guinness Pro12 try-scoring record at the Liberty Stadium.

They have scored just 13 times in 12 games and Morgan hopes his partnership with fellow bright prospect Jack Dixon – "one of the best defenders we've got but also a very strong ball carrier with a good offload" – can trouble the league leaders.

"We have been creating chances and when you watch the game back in analysis you see the opportunities to score," said Morgan.

"We are millimetres away and when things click we will start scoring a lot more tries. It's just decision-making and composure under pressure."