DRAGONS prospect Aaron Wainwright is on the Wales radar less than four months after making his professional debut.

The 20-year-old blindside from Bassaleg has been a huge hit for the Rodney Parade region after being flung in at the deep end because of a glut of back row injuries.

Wainwright made his debut off the bench in the Guinness PRO14 derby at Cardiff Blues and has made 13 more appearances since.

The flanker has caught the eye with his energy and appetite for work while Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde has been impressed with his efforts in the collisions.

Even in the absence of Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate, the national squad is blessed with plenty back row options.

Justin Tipuric, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Ross Moriarty, Ellis Jenkins, James Davies and the injured Taulupe Faletau have been named in the Six Nations squad but McBryde says the Dragons prospect adds something different.

“There is definitely a lack of depth in the number eight position, but just to name one player, Aaron Wainwright, he’s definitely made an impression with the Dragons with his ability,” said the former hooker.

“It may be a little bit too soon for him but he’s definitely one to keep an eye on who possesses those (ball-carrying) qualities.

“It’s a very competitive back row, where you could argue a number of players have similar styles or strengths.

“When you look at the derbies, we’re not blessed with big men, probably the only big man is (Cardiff Blues’ New Zealander) Nick Williams, the rest of the back rows are much of a muchness with regards to size and having a big ball-carrying threat.

“I mentioned Aaron Wainwright, he’s one that’s made an impression purely because he’s got that ability to carry ball and run hard.”

Warren Gatland named three Dragons in his squad – lock Cory Hill, hooker Elliot Dee and wing Hallam Amos – along with back row forward Ross Moriarty, who is heading to Rodney Parade from Gloucester next season.

Amos is named in the squad despite currently being sidelined by an ankle strain suffered in the closing stages of the New Year’s Eve loss to the Ospreys in Newport. Gatland hopes that Amos will return to action in the coming weeks ahead of the Scotland Test.

The 23-year-old played in all four autumn Tests to move to 15 caps, scoring against Australia and Georgia from the left wing.

He is included along with Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Steff Evans, Alex Cuthbert and Josh Adams.

Dee has successfully fought off the challenge of rivals Kristian Dacey and Ryan Elias to keep his place in the squad after winning his first cap off the bench against Georgia in the autumn and having a second cameo in the win against South Africa.

The 23-year-old from Newbridge and Ospreys front rower Scott Baldwin, who is recalled to the squad, will try to put the heat on Lions ace Ken Owens.

Dragons captain Hill is named in a Wales squad for the fifth time on the bounce and will hope to add to his tally of 10 caps. He will battle with Adam Beard, Bradley Davies and Seb Davies to get game time alongside skipper Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.

Backs: L Williams (Saracens), G North (Northampton), L Halfpenny (Scarlets), S Evans (Scarlets), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), H Amos (Dragons), J Adams (Worcester), S Williams (Scarlets), O Williams (Gloucester), O Watkin (Ospreys), H Parkes (Scarlets), R Priestland (Bath), R Patchell (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), R Webb (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets), A Davies (Scarlets).

Forwards: R Evans (Scarlets), W Jones (Scarlets), N Smith (Ospreys), T Francis (Exeter), S Lee (Scarlets), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), K Owens (Scarlets), E Dee (Dragons), S Baldwin (Ospreys), A Beard (Ospreys), B Davies (Ospreys), S Davies (Cardiff Blues), C Hill (Dragons), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), J Davies (Scarlets), T Faletau (Bath), E Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), R Moriarty (Gloucester), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys).