NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Ian Gough has regained his place in the Wales squad for the Six Nations Championship - one of eight Dragons players included by coach Mike Ruddock today.

Gough won the last of his 20 caps against Romania in 2003 and his last Six Nations appearance was against Scotland the year before that.

A back injury put him on the sidelines, but he was consistently overlooked by Steve Hansen, including his squad for the World Cup, which provoked Gough into claiming he had been stabbed in the back.

Gough has gradually worked his way back to top form with a series of impressive performances, none more so than in Sunday's game against Newcastle.

He dominated the line-out, got about the field and was on hand to score a late try, all of which was achieved against a leading Zurich Premiership team on their own ground. Ruddock was suitably impressed.

"I've upped my level and I'm pleased with the way I've performed," said Gough.

Also back in Wales' Six Nations squad is Kevin Morgan. He has been moved to the wing by the Dragons, but though preferring full back has continued to show excellent form and has scored 11 tries this season.

After suffering a series of injuries he was recalled for the Autumn internationals and was a second half replacement against Japan.

The Dragons' other representatives in the squad for the November games -- Hal Luscombe, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper, Steve Jones, Luke Charteris and Michael Owen -- are all in the 31-strong Six Nations squad, Ruddock believing Sweeney is a better player than his recent form for the Dragons shows.

The one newcomer is 21-year-old Cardiff Blues prop John Yapp for the injured Duncan Jones.

Wales squad: Backs: G Thomas, K Morgan, R Williams, H Luscombe, T Shanklin, S Parker, G Henson, S Wiliams, C Sweeney, Stephen Jones, D Peel, G Cooper, M Phillips, Forwards: A Jones, G Jenkins, A.N Other, J Yapp, M Davies, R McBryde, Steve Jones, B Cockbain, G Llewellyn, R Sidoli, L Charteris, I Gough, D Jones, J Thomas, C Charvis, M Williams, M Owen, R Jones.