NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones believes there is plenty more to come from livewire wing Ashton Hewitt, declaring the speedster has the same tough mentality as World Cup winner Jason Robinson.

The 22-year-old from Newport was a positive from a frustrating Boxing Day in the capital when beaten 27-16 by Cardiff Blues in the Guinness Pro12.

Hewitt made a shaky start when he fell of a tackle to allow Steve Shingler to score but recovered to produce a dazzling display with ball in hand.

The winger made a number of searing breaks and crossed for his fifth try of the season when he gathered a fine grubber kick through by his fellow former Caerleon Comprehensive pupil Angus O'Brien, who also had a good game in attack at fly-half.

Hewitt was knocking on the door for Wales last season only to suffer a shoulder injury but he is catching the eye again.

The speedster in undoubtedly electric with ball in hand but it is his attitude that will see him continue to flourish according to Jones, who likened him to dual-code legend Robinson.

"He reminds me of Jason, not because of the way that he plays the game, it's his mindset," said the head coach, who was in charge of Robinson at Sale Sharks. "Ashton is a total winner and is tough mentally."

Jones continued: "He can finish, even with the try from the kick through he showed composure under pressure.

"Ashton has got proper pace and is as brave as they come. He is not the finished article yet and the biggest compliment that I can give him is how much he improves.

"From 19 to now and he just keeps improving because of his mindset. He has a big future and there is room in the game for players like him."

Blues boss Danny Wilson called up Ashton Hewitt when he was Wales Under-20s coach in 2013, although it was the following season that the winger featured more prominently, and hailed the strides made by the winger.

"I think he is quality and a very dangerous rugby player," said Wilson. "He showed against us that for a small man he can break tackles where you think perhaps he should have been dealt with, that's credit to him.

"The obvious is that you can't always defend pace and he has certainly got that. Ashton is low to the ground and boys look like they are making the tackle but seem to slip off him and he stays up really well.

"Once he gets a yard he is extremely quick and is an exciting player for the future."

Hewitt and his teammates don't have long to lick their wounds after their derby disappointment but they do have the advantage of an extra day's rest that their New Year's Day opponents.

The Ospreys head to Rodney Parade after their west Wales showdown against the Scarlets, a reverse of last season when it was the Dragons who travelled to the Liberty Stadium after a December 27 clash with the Blues.

Jones said: "I'm pleased to have the extra day because it is difficult for the Ospreys, but they've got a good squad and are well coached."