WALES defence coach Shaun Edwards has no doubt that Newport Gwent Dragons centre Jack Dixon has the toughness to succeed at Test level.

The 20-year-old from Newbridge was last week named in Warren Gatland’s 47-strong training squad for the World Cup.

Dixon, who had played for Wales Under-20s in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Junior World Championships, has long been on the radar of the international management team.

His hopes of forcing his way into the senior squad were hit by a wrist injury suffered in the second week of 2014/15 but he featured in 18 of the Dragons’ 19 games after his December return.

Dixon’s fine form, particularly in the European Rugby Challenge Cup victories against Newcastle, Stade Francais and Cardiff Blues, helped cement a place in the squad alongside fellow midfield options Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, George North, Cory Allen and Tyler Morgan and Edwards is excited about welcoming a new face into the camp.

“Jack’s defensive work stands out for the Dragons – he is just a very tough lad and that’s what you need in international rugby,” said Edwards.

“He has been leading the Dragons’ defence and it was good to see that he has been developing alongside Tyler.

“I’ve been involved with Wales Under-18s and Jack was a lad who excelled at that level, as did Tyler, so it has been nice to see them coming through together.”

When Dixon burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, becoming the youngest player in the region’s history against Wasps in the LV= Cup, he described himself as “a Jamie Roberts-type player”.

And Edwards believes that the youngster will profit from grafting alongside the Harlequins-bound Lions star in the training camps in Switzerland, Qatar, Poland and north Wales.

“There’s real competition for places (in midfield) and if Jack is working alongside Jamie Roberts and sees how he operates then it’s a win-win situation,” said the defence coach.

“Jamie is a great person to be around as regard learning that leadership role that is so pivotal in the 12 position so Jack should really benefit from the next few months.”

Dixon is an outsider for the World Cup but will hope to win a first cap with games against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, August 8 and Dublin on Saturday, August 29 taking place before Gatland names his final 31.