DRAGONS hooker Elliot Dee has been given a swift Wales return after his shock omission from the initial squad for the autumn internationals.

The 26-year-old from Newbridge was left out of the 38-strong group for the six upcoming Tests after head coach Wayne Pivac brought in uncapped former Dragons front-rower Sam Parry, who has been with the Ospreys since 2014, to join Scarlets duo Ken Owens and Ryan Elias.

However, Owens suffered a shoulder injury against Glasgow on Sunday and that blow has led to Dee linking up with the national squad after the release of the Lions forward.

Flanker James Davies has also been called up to replace uncapped Scarlets teammate Josh Macleod (hamstring).

Dragons forward Dee was surprisingly axed by Pivac after becoming a mainstay of his predecessor Warren Gatland’s team.

South Wales Argus:

Dee made his debut against Georgia in 2017 and went on to play in 29 of 31 possible Tests up to and including the World Cup bronze Zealand.

However, he suffered ribs and calf injuries that led to him missing out on the Six Nations earlier this year before the coronavirus pandemic.

Dee made his comeback against Benetton before lockdown and started against the Scarlets, Bristol, Leinster and Zebre after the return of rugby.

"Elliot has only played a couple of games of rugby since before the Six Nations. He didn’t play in that campaign due to injury," said Pivac when announcing his squad.

"It was an opportunity for us to take a look at some of the other hookers. We want to have a look at Sam Parry, he’s a big man at around 110 kilos. He’s got a good carrying game and is a very physical player.

South Wales Argus:

"He’s a slightly different player to Elliot, we know what Elliot can do and he’s been spoken to.

“He knows he needs a run of games at club level to get his minutes back up and his form to where it needs to be. He’ll certainly be in consideration for the Six Nations."

The blow to Owens means that he will now be in consideration for the clash against France in Paris next weekend.

That fixture is followed by the Six Nations finale against Scotland and four games in the the Autumn Nations Cup.

Dee is the sixth Dragons to be selected by Pivac, joining tighthead Leon Brown, back row forwards Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright, centre Nick Tompkins and wing/full-back Jonah Holmes.