FIVE Newport Gwent Dragons youngsters have been named in the Wales Under-18s squad for an international tournament in South Africa.

Tighthead Leon Brown, a member of the Wales squad at the World Rugby U20 Championship in June, has been named in head coach Geraint Lewis' 26-strong squad along with clubmates hooker Ellis Shipp, lock Bryce Morgan, centre Connor Edwards and wing Josh Hodson.

Wales begin the tour with a Test against South Africa in Stellenbosch on Friday, August 7 before facing Italy at George on Tuesday, August 11 and finish by locking horns with South Africa A on Saturday, August 15.

WRU national performance manager Gethin Watts said: “The Under-18 development tour is a fantastic experience for these players.

“They will be exposed to training and playing in a professional environment in conditions that replicate a global, international competition which supports our aim of developing high quality players for regional and international rugby in Wales.

“In particular, the experience of playing South African opposition twice in the space of eight days will be of huge benefit to them as they bid to step up to Under-20 level international rugby next season, where they will come across southern hemisphere sides at the World Rugby U20 Championship.”

Dragons academy boss James Chapron, former international tighthead Chris Horsman and Wales Women head coach Rhys Edwards will complete Lewis’ coaching team for the tournament. Highlights will be shown on S4C.

Wales Under-18 development squad for South Africa

Forwards: Kieron Assirrati (Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Wattstown), Steff Thomas (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar), Gerwyn Coleman (Blues / Cymoedd/ Penygraig), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets / Llandovery), Leon Brown (Dragons / Cross Keys/ Newport High), Corey Domachowski (Blues / Tonyrefail Comp/ Gilfach Goch), Ellis Shipp (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Penallta), Callum Bradbury (Blues / Cymoedd / Beddau), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Blues / Cymoedd / Ystrad Rhondda), Aled Ward (Blues / Cowbridge / Cardiff Quins), Morgan Sieniawski (Blues / Cymoedd/ Beddau), Calum Haggett (captain, Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Gilfach Goch), Joshua Macleod (Scarlets / Bro Gwaun / Crymych), Shaun Evans (Scarlets/ Coleg Sir Gar), Bryce Morgan (Dragons / Newport High School/ Caerleon)

Backs: Efan Jones (RGC/ Rydal Penrhos / Wrexham), Matthew Aubrey (Ospreys / Gower College / Pontarddulais), Rhun Williams (RGC / Brynrefail/ Caernarfon), Kieran Williams (Ospreys / Ystalyfera/ Glynneath), Connor Edwards (Dragons / Newport High School / Croesyceiliog), Teri Morgan-Gee (Blues/ Cymoedd/Rumney) Callum Hall (Blues/ Cymoedd), Billy McBryde (Scarlets / Sir Gar/ Llanelli), Danny Cross (RGC / Rydal Penrhos / Wrexham), Ianto Parry (RGC/ Llandrillo/ Pwllheli), Josh Hodson (Dragons / Llandovery College)