SIX Dragons have been named in the Wales squad for the U20 Six Nations Summer Series in Italy.

Prop Adam Williams, lock/back row Ryan Woodman, scrum-halves Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, centre/full-back Joe Westwood and wing Oli Andrew have been named in the 30-strong squad.

Wales are boosted by the inclusion of full cap Christ Tshiunza and his fellow Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins along with Cardiff centre Mason Grady.

They are, however, without injured back rower Alex Mann with Ospreys centre Joe Hawkins taking over as captain.

"Joe had led the side in the Six Nations when Alex was unavailable due to suspension," said head coach Byron Hayward.

"He's been here from day one. Him and Alex are very close and are very similar in terms of people on how they drive standards on and off the field.

"I would put Joe in exactly the same category as Alex – a leader, he is going to be a top professional and a future captain for one of the regions."

"Alex is a massive loss for us. Alex is definitely a leader on the field and off the field.

"Players have so much respect for him as do the management – it's just one of those things that happens in rugby, and we've just got to put it behind us and move on and move forward.

"But bad news for one player is good news for someone else and now it's all about looking forward. We've got depth in the back row now so it's a good opportunity for someone else."

Wales will face Scotland, Georgia and Italy in Pool B before a play-off match to determine their final placing.

After a poor Six Nations featuring a solitary win, Hayward wants to get off to a flying start against the Scots in Treviso next Saturday.

"If you get a good win under your belts then you are then up and running," he said. "It will be imperative for us to get that first win and that is all we are focussing on at the moment.

"We've got two games after that, but we won't even think about them until the Scotland game.

"They play an open attractive brand of rugby so it will be a challenge for us defensively which is a big area we have to pick up from the Six Nations and we've highlighted that.

"So I think if we can get our house in order there when and we do have the ball we could cause some damage.

"Saying that, we have full respect for Scotland as we were 10-0 down in the second half against them in the Six Nations before coming away with a victory."

WALES SQUAD

Forwards: Rhys Barratt (Cardiff), Cameron Jones (Ospreys), Efan Daniel (Cardiff), Oli Burrow (Exeter), Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), Adam Williams (Dragons), Nathan Evans (Cardiff), Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter), Caleb Salmon (Scarlets), Ryan Woodman (Dragons), Ben Williams (Aberavon/Ospreys), Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Benji Williams (Ospreys), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff)

Backs: Morgan Lloyd (Dragons), Che Hope (Dragons), Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Josh Phillips (Scarlets), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – captain), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Joe Westwood (Dragons), Oli Andrews (Dragons), Harri Houston (Ospreys), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff), Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys)

Fixtures

Sat 25 June – Scotland v Wales – Stadio Di Monigo 5pm

Thu 30 June – Wales v Georgia – Stadio Di Monigo – 5pm

Wed 6 July – Wales v Italy – Stadio Di Monigo – 8pm

Tue 12 July– play-off opposition/KO TBC