WALES skills coach Scott Johnson has mounted a staunch defence of Ceri Sweeney, the Newport Gwent Dragons player who has been heavily criticised this season.

Sweeney has lost some of the form he showed for Wales on their tour to North America last summer which appeared to make him the automatic replacement for the banned Gavin Henson at inside centre for the start of the Six Nations Championship.

Though initially an outside half, Sweeney has been more favoured at 12 for Wales, but whichever position he has occupied for the Dragons he has struggled, especially with his kicking whether out of hand or at goal.

But the influential Johnson, who doubles up as Wales backs coach, insists Sweeney remains a vital part of their set-up and says he has qualities the public wouldn't know about.

"Ceri feels more comfortable at 12 at this level and he contributes to our camp in a big way," said Johnson. "He gets a lot of criticism but I don't understand why. He's a wholehearted kid who provides something that's intangible. He's got qualities that are indefinable.

"We're in a fickle industry, but I'm around him day to day and I can see what he brings to us which others can't. "Ceri gets maligned, but I'll tell you what - I'd go to war with him, he's got real qualities."

Johnson also sings the praises of Dragons centre Hal Luscombe and Matthew Watkins, the Llanelli Scarlets and former Newport centre, and makes light of the injury and other problems Wales have suffered there since winning the Grand Slam last season.

"Last year we had depth across the board in the 13 position with Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Mark Taylor and Jamie Robinson all vying for one spot," he said.

"No nation can compete with losses like that, in anyone's language that's severe. But Matthew has come to the fore and Hal has been playing out of his skin.

"Matthew has been a real surprise package. He's come of age especially off the pitch, he's starting to understand the concepts, he did really well on the tour last summer and sitting back and watching players improve is a real highlight for me.

"The addition of Mark Jones is good because he's genuine wheels. And as for the number 12 Gavin Henson has been a loss because he fitted the bill with his physicality and skill.

"But we've got to move on. We tried a couple of combinations in the Autumn and we're waiting for a couple of kids to come through like Tom Cheeseman (Bath) and Andrew Bishop (Ospreys) who are still with the under-21s.

"Then we'll have depth there which is a priority just as much as number 10 is if there's an injury."