THE BATTLE for places in the Newport Gwent Dragons front row is hotting up thanks to the return from serious injury of three young guns and the signing of another bright propping prospect.

Looseheads Aaron Coundley and Dan Watchurst and tighthead Nathan Buck are back in the frame after managing just seven appearances between them last year.

The trio of 21-year-olds have been joined in pre-season training by 20-year-old tighthead Trystan Davies who has arrived at Rodney Parade from the Scarlets.

Coundley played six times last season for Newport before snapping a hamstring against Leinster in October.

Watchurst’s sole appearance of the season, for the Black and Ambers against Worcester, saw him aggravate the shoulder injury that he first picked up when captaining Wales Under-20s. Buck hasn’t played since the summer of 2009 when he dislocated his right knee playing in Australia, damaging his ACL, MCL, meniscus and three bones.

He fought back to fitness at the start of last season only to suffer another setback.

However, the trio of highly-rated front-rowers have featured in Dragons pre-season training and could soon be in contention.

“All three are back in training and we are delighted for them,” said director of rugby Robert Beale.

“They still have a lot of work to do but they have shown great character to come back from such serious injuries.

“It’s been a long road for them, with plenty of rehab, but I believe they are on course for the start of the season.

“We believe we have got a very good crop of front row forwards and if they can get plenty of game time then I have no doubt they will be challenging for starts.

“I’ve watched them in training and they are hungry and just desperate to get back out playing rugby.”

It is likely that the trio will first be looking to impress in the Premiership, as will new arrival Davies.

The Carmarthen-born prop has represented Wales at under-16s, 18s and 20s and narrowly missed out on selection for the Junior World Championship.

“He is a big young man – 6ft 2in and nearly 19st – so he has all the physical attributes to be a real success,” said Beale.

“Trystan is still young and inexperienced in scrummaging terms but, like all our props, will learn greatly in terms of technique from (forwards coach) Danny Wilson.”