ELLIOT Dee was hungry for more when he won a pair of caps as a replacement against Georgia and South Africa last year.

"I had a taste of it in the autumn and once you've had a bite you want the whole plate," said the 24-year-old hooker from Newbridge.

He would go on to establish himself as deputy to Ken Owens by having a fine Six Nations campaign and is in pole position to be at the heart of the front row this summer if the Lion is given June off.

Bernard Jackman needs a handful of Dee's young teammates to show the same voracious appetite at regional level next season.

We've been told frequently in 2017/18 that it's a building year, that it's all about planning for September when results will take an upturn.

Recruitment has been heavy while fringe players have been given their chance, some admittedly more than others, to stake their claims to be part of the new regime's plans.

The management have used 66 players in all competitions this season, of which 14 are academy prospects that have made their professional debuts – wings Jared Rosser, George Gasson, Joe Goodchild and Rio Dyer, centre Connor Edwards, scrum-halves Owain Leonard, Dan Babos and Callum Morris, prop Josh Reynolds, lock Henri Williams and back row forwards Max Williams, Lennon Greggains, Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright.

Added to that, RGC 1404's Huw Worthington (who subsequently signed for Bedford Blues) and rugby league recruit Calvin Wellington were given outings in the Anglo-Welsh Cup while lock Joe Davies and fly-half Arwel Robson have been given a first experience of PRO14 rugby.

It's been a gamble and one wonders about the wisdom of flinging, for example, Greggains in against Ulster in Belfast or Basham versus the Scarlets in Llanelli.

We have seen in the past that the Dragons have leaned heavily on their academy and prospects that have been given opportunities haven't always pushed on. There is undoubtedly a danger of it being too much, too soon.

However, Jackman's thinking has been that this campaign is a one-off chance to give the prospects a taste of how the big boys operate and he has certainly been rewarded by a handful of players.

Rosser seems to be growing after a quiet start, Babos and Basham have shown flashes of excellence, Max Williams looks a handful while Wainwright has been incredible given that last year he was with Cardiff Met in the Championship.

It's been pleasing to see Joe Davies, who made his Dragons debut alongside Adam Jones in 2013 but is still just 22, get a run of games and start fulfilling that potential while 20-year-old centre Edwards, who first got a run out under Lyn Jones versus Bristol in the summer of 2014, has grasped the chance provided by midfield injury misfortune.

The reality is that none of the 14 debutants will head into next season as Jackman’s first or second choice; they will be there to provide added depth.

However, the Dragons are still operating on a meagre budget and need youngsters to do men’s work if needed.

Over the next 12 to 18 months Jackman will demand that those that have been given a taste of pro rugby in this challenging season stand tall and provide him with selection headaches.

Appearances won’t come as easily next season and the youngsters will have to show their hunger.

South Wales Argus:

NEWPORT face another nerve-jangling April but in a more joyous way than this time last year.

In 2017 a vote was looming for Black and Ambers shareholders, many of whom felt they were over a barrel about the sale of their historic Rodney Parade home to the Welsh Rugby Union.

The green light was given by 81 per cent, many with heavy hearts, and the famous club entered a new era.

Wounds are still raw and many challenges lie ahead, but the very fact that Newport will be aiming for their first WRU National Cup  since Gary Teichmann lifted the trophy aloft in 2001 is testament to the hard work put in by so many.

The players and coaches naturally deserve the majority of credit after a run that has seen them beat Swansea, Aberavon, Bedwas and Llandovery.

However, those preparing for Merthyr at Principality Stadium on April 29 will be quick to heap praise on the band of volunteers and fundraisers that have kept the show on the road in the city after a year of incredible change.

The tournament hasn’t been kind to Newport since the win 17 years ago; instead they had to prove their cup pedigree with famous successes against Exeter, Leinster and Cornish Pirates in the group stages of the British & Irish Cup in 2009 and 2010.

But this season’s success is a timely reward for so many good people behind the scenes in black and amber who have been through sporting turmoil over the last 12 months.

They deserve their day out in the capital and fingers crossed they can upset the odds against the Ironmen.