ROBIN McBryde is relishing the chance to see how Dragons duo Leon Brown and Elliot Dee cope with the intensity of Wales camp after being impressed with their dynamism, writes Chris Kirwan.

Tighthead Brown, 21, and hooker Dee, 23, have linked up with Warren Gatland’s squad for the autumn internationals against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The uncapped duo have been rewarded for excellent starts to the season and join Cory Hill, Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan at the Vale of Glamorgan headquarters.

After getting the nod, Dee and Brown must show they can cope with the step up in standards to earn a chance at Principality Stadium.

“I’ve got to speak firstly about Dillon Lewis and Ryan Elias, who missed out unfortunately but they are going to be competing with Leon and Elliot for years to come,” said forwards coach McBryde. “It’s a case of Leon and Elliot playing regularly and playing well regularly.

“Leon has been involved with us and trained against us, he made a big impression when he came in this time last year – he was running the ball pretty dynamically against us. He has been given the game time and has benefited from it.

“It will be interesting to see how both of them cope in the squad and with the day to day intensity of training, hopefully we can give them an opportunity at Principality Stadium as well.”

The Dragons pair are both comfortable with ball in hand while Gatland had taken “a punt” by selecting 7s specialist Sam Cross in his squad despite the back rower from Brynmawr only having two professional games of 15s under his belt.

“Perhaps there is not so much an emphasis of the tight element of play, especially with Tests against New Zealand and Australia,” admitted McBryde.

“There is definitely an emphasis on keeping the ball alive and attacking from everywhere really.

“There is not as much of an emphasis on the set piece but we can’t ignore it. If we do then we will find our work very difficult.

“As a forwards coach, first and foremost if your set piece isn’t right you will struggle but there is a nice blend up front.

“There is an exciting back five feel to the forwards and hopefully we can get the balance right and blend the set piece into the attacking style.”