LENNON Greggains intends to catch Dean Ryan's eye and press his claims for a place in the Dragons' crowded back row by starring for Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

The Welsh youngsters start the tournament with a clash against hosts Argentina tomorrow (kick-off 5pm) with flanker Greggains set to be a leading figure.

The 20-year-old from Newport is rated highly by the Dragons and made his regional bow against Ulster in September, 2017.

A hamstring injury frustrated him at the start of last season but he came back to enjoy outings against Ulster and the Ospreys, while he was taken on the tour to South Africa and was an unused replacement against the Southern Kings.

New director of rugby Ryan is blessed for back row options and can pick from Ross Moriarty, Aaron Wainwright, Ollie Griffiths, Harri Keddie, Lewis Evans and Huw Taylor plus promising prospects Greggains, Taine Basham, Max Williams and Ben Fry.

Greggains hopes that some big displays against rugby's brightest young talent can help him climb the pecking order.

South Wales Argus:

"It was nice to get a couple more games under my belt and have a little taste of senior rugby, now hopefully I can go on and show them what I can do in the World Cup," he said.

"Opportunities aren't going to come every week but when you get them you need to give everything you've got and try to show the coaches that you want to play for the Dragons.

"I've got to take these five games and give it everything I've got because in a way Wales Under-20s is a shop window and it's a chance for everyone across the world to see what you've got.

"I have to give everything I've got in these five games and then I'll take everything as it comes. We'll see what happens but after this year senior rugby will be my priority."

Greggains has come through the ranks with Basham, forming a strong partnership with the 19-year-old from Talywain who misses the tournament through injury.

Basham has made 14 regional appearances, scored three tries and put in some eye-catching displays with his dynamism around the park but his back row pal is happy to graft in his own effective way.

South Wales Argus:

Greggains said: "Taine always gets the highlights! I can make 20 tackles but they always talk about Taine's try!

"I'd say I do a lot of the unseen work but I don't mind that, I know what I'm good at and what I'm not really good at.

"I'd see myself as more of a physical player, my set piece is more dominant and in the tackle area. I'd say maybe where Taine scores a few tries in a game, he makes all these lines breaks which makes him front page!

"I wouldn't say Taine and I have a competition. If you take his part of the game and my part of the game and put them together, I think we work really well together."

And the duo, plus 20-year-old abrasive blindside Fry, are taking inspiration from the seniors whose places they aim to take.

"We have good people to look up to at the Dragons, you've got a lot of talent there.

"The way they look after themselves and the way they conduct themselves, it's definitely something me and the boys strive to be."

The quality of rugby that Greggains will face over the coming weeks should stand him in good stead with a clash against hosts Argentina tomorrow followed by group stage games with champions France and Fiji.

"There's not an easy game in the World Cup, every single game's going to be tough and if you're not on top of your game you're going to struggle to win," said Greggains, who played in last year's tournament in France.

"We know we've got a massive, physical group with Argentina, France and Fiji but we think we can counteract that and we know we can play good attacking rugby."

Eight Dragons are in the squad – wings Deon Smith and Rio Dyer, centre Aneurin Owen, scrum-half Dafydd Buckland, prop Tom Devine, hooker Will Griffiths, lock Ed Scragg and Greggains – along with Caldicot's Nick English, a tighthead with Bristol.