ROB Howley has called on Wales internationals Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan to be at the heart of driving standards up at Newport Gwent Dragons.

It has been a chastening start to the Guinness Pro12 season for the Dragons, who edged to a home victory against Zebre in round two and have lost to Ulster, Munster and Treviso.

On Friday they host Glasgow, who themselves have made a sticky start by their own standards, with the need to provide some cheer at Rodney Parade.

Howley, who has taken over the reins with Wales while Warren Gatland is on a sabbatical ahead of the Lions' tour to New Zealand, is likely to name 22-year-old wing Amos and 21-year-old centre Morgan in his squad for the autumn internationals on October 18.

Some pundits have questioned whether the nationally dual contracted duo's development is best served at the Dragons but their national boss wants them to show their mettle by driving their team forward.

Howley said: "They take enormous pride in playing for their region. I know that Hallam and Tyler have exchanged their view with us how much they enjoy playing for the Dragons.

"It's important how they drive each other and drive the team. Hallam was captain in Treviso, that's brilliant and I am sure that learning experience will bring him on as a player and develop him. If he was at the Ospreys he might not have the opportunity to captain at such a young age.

"From Hallam and Tyler's perspective, it's about them driving the standards at the region and, from what I am led to believe, both of them are enjoying their rugby at this moment.

"The driver for Hallam and Tyler is to be the best that they can be in the games that they play. To make sure that they take their opportunities."

Howley said that the progress of the likes of burgeoning Dragons back row forwards Ollie Griffiths and Harrison Keddie are being monitored by the international management team and stressed the importance of the next generation pushing the current crop.

"We as a national management team have to look at protecting our succession plan," he said. "The pressure that comes from behind, from the likes of (Ospreys wing) Keelan Giles and Harrison Keddie, will push players currently wearing the national jersey. That's what drives us all forward."