Dean Ryan: Dragons' Jonah Holmes puzzled by Wales axe

The 29-year-old was a surprise absentee when Wayne Pivac named his squad for the autumn Tests against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia.

Holmes finished last season superbly for the Dragons and scored two tries last weekend in the shock 35-22 win at Connacht.

However, Pivac has instead opted for Johnny McNicholl and Owen Lane as his options along with the Lions trio of Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit and currently-injured Liam Williams.

DROPPED: Jonah Holmes

“I don't think Jonah has a huge amount of understanding of why [he has been left out],” said director of rugby Ryan.

“I know that Wayne wasn't that happy with him in the summer but he went into that camp after great form for us at the tail-end of last season.

“He has picked up that form and he is pretty motivated to continue that form here. That's the only thing he can do, when answering international selection you can just make sure your domestic form is at its height.

“At the end of the day it's a person's opinion for a squad, and you have to support that. Our message to Jonah is to keep doing what he is doing here to knock on the door until somebody takes notice.”

Holmes starts on the wing for the Dragons against the Stormers this evening and will get another chance to prove a point at Cardiff next weekend.

Ryan believes there is more to come from the seven-times capped back, who arrived from Leicester last year to improve his Test chances.

Dragons wing Jonah Holmes scoring against Canada

He said: “There are always aspects where players can get better but I'm not sure a Thursday press conference is the time to play that back to him!

“At the same time as highlighting bits that can get better at, you have got to make sure the things he is doing well are in the room.

“We are really comfortable with Jonah's form and he is a huge part of what we are doing. Keep scoring, that's his job.

“The message is quite simple - keep the things he is doing well and let's, like everybody else, keep challenging the things we don't think are a strength.”

There was also disappointment for Dragons fly-half Sam Davies, whose last international appearances was in the uncapped game against the Barbarians two years ago.

The 28-year-old has been in good form for his club but has been overlooked by Wales, who will be without Dan Biggar and Callum Sheedy against the All Blacks.

Pivac instead recalled Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe, who is only just back from a serious knee injury.

Playmaker: Sam Davies

“Sam quite rightly doesn't know where he fits,” said Ryan. “It's somebody's selection. Communicating and understanding where people on the outside of that sit, or what they need to do, isn't necessarily for me to do because I'd have a different opinion.

“Sam has started the season very well and with a selection as a here and now, it's important that people like Sam understand what it looks like going forward.

“What does he need to do, because playing for Wales is so big for these lads and something to be striving towards.

“Every single one of them would have a huge motivation to play for Wales so when selections, quite rightly, are about next week, we've also got to work a way of telling people what it looks like in a year.”

All six of the Dragons’ autumn contingent – hooker Elliot Dee, locks Will Rowlands and Ben Carter and back row forwards Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright – start against the Stormers in Newport.