FOUR Gwent players have been named in the Wales squad for this weekend’s Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series opener in Moscow, writes Chris Kirwan.

Newport Gwent Dragons speedster Lloyd Lewis, a Wales cap, has earned selection along with Newport winger Elliot Frewen, who made his international debut in the HSBC Sevens World Series leg in Wellington in January.

His Black and Ambers teammate Chay Smith, a centre, is also in the 12-strong group along with Max George, who played in the back row for Cross Keys and Penallta last season.

Core Wales sevens players Lloyd Evans, Owen Jenkins and Ben Roach provide more international knowhow for coach Richie Pugh.

He said: “We’ve got players with strong World Series experience joined by the development boys from the Premiership clubs who’ve been training with us for a long time.”

“It’s a case of finding a balance and what’s right for the players. We’ll use our core players as we see fit,” he continued.

Wales, who finished 10th in the World Series, will take on Ireland, Germany and Georgia in their pool.

“We’re familiar with Ireland after having a couple of training battles with them,” said Pugh. “They’ve got a strong programme at the moment, so they’re going to be a very tough team.

“They’ve got aspirations of being on the World Series next year, along with Germany.

“Germany were the form team in the Hong Kong qualifiers and Rugby Europe is the big tournament for them, so they’ll be formidable.

“Georgia are a bit of an unknown, but they’re normally a strong team on this stage, so it’s an exciting, tough pool.”

Wales squad: Chay Smith (Newport), Max George (Cross Keys/Penalta), Joe Jenkins (Swansea), Lloyd Evans (Wales Sevens), Owen Jenkins (Wales Sevens), Stef Andrews (Aberavon), Jacob Flynn (Aberavon), Gwion Jones (Carmarthen Quins/Pontyberem), Daf Smith (Cardiff and Vale College), Ben Roach (Wales Sevens), Elliot Frewen (Newport), Lloyd Lewis (Newport Gwent Dragons)