WHEN Jared Rosser missed the cut for Wales' squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship he was comforted by the consolation of their being another opportunity in Georgia next year but now the Newport Gwent Dragons winger is mixing it with New Zealand.

The 18-year-old from Pontypool was left out of Jason Strange's initial squad for the tournament in Manchester with the head coach selecting those who had helped win the Six Nations.

However, Rosser was brought into an extended training group and took part in the preparations at the National Centre of Excellence and at the pre-tournament camp in Monmouth.

And the speedster's hard work paid off, albeit through the injury misfortune of regional teammate George Gasson in the final training session before heading to the north west of England.

Rosser was brought in as his replacement and has since profited from Ospreys winger Keelan Giles being called up by Warren Gatland.

The Dragons youngster won his first cap in the 10-9 win against Georgia and then wore 11 on his back in the heartbreaking 18-17 loss to the Baby Blacks last Wednesday.

"It's all been a massive surprise," said Rosser, who went to Abersychan School before joining the rugby programme at Newport High School.

"I thought I'd just be training with the squad before the competition as a reserve but you can see how important that was because unfortunately George got injured then Keelan was called up to the seniors.

"I am really enjoying it and it was a pleasant surprise when I played against Georgia because I was supposed to be on the bench before Keelan was called up.

"It wasn't the best of games but pulling on the jersey made it feel like some of my hard work is getting rewarded."

Now attention turns to getting revenge on the New Zealanders on Monday (kick-off 3.15pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium) after suffering last-minute heartbreak at the AJ Bell Stadium, a penalty by Canterbury centre Jordie Barrett sneaking an 18-17 victory for the holders.

As it turned out, even a win would not have been enough to make it to the semi-finals and a quirk of the tournament format means another date with the Baby Blacks.

"We are gutted not to be going for the title but the boys' heads won't drop too much," said Rosser.

"To lose so narrowly to New Zealand was disappointing but we can take a huge amount of positives from the game and if we build on them then we can end the tournament on a good note."

The competition caps a superb season for Rosser, who has a Principality Premiership winner's medal to go along with his Welsh cap after impressing on the flank with Ebbw Vale.

"The boys at Ebbw Vale are great and (head coach) Nigel Davies has helped me along, I've thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.

The winner of the Wales-New Zealand match will take on the victor from Scotland versus Australia for fifth place on Saturday week while the losers will lock horns for seventh.

Monday fixtures: 9th place semi-finals – Georgia v Italy (3.15pm, Salford), France v Japan (5.30pm, Salford); 5th place semi-finals – New Zealand v Wales (3.15pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium), Scotland v Australia (7.45pm, Salford); semi-finals – Ireland v Argentina (5.30pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium), England v South Africa (7.45pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium)