DRAGONS prospect Ben Carter has the brains to flourish at Rodney Parade when the young lock adds brawn, believes Wales Under-20s boss Gareth Williams.

The 19-year-old from Caldicot has been a firm fixture in the boilerhouse during the Six Nations and will make a fifth successive start against Scotland in Colwyn Bay tomorrow (kick-off 7.35pm).

The 6ft 6ins lock captained the Dragons Under-18s to the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship title last season and has caught the eye with his work around the park and at the set piece.

"Ben has been excellent as a young prospect in his first year at Under-20s level in a very difficult position," said head coach Williams.

"His robustness is plain to see – he has played every minute of every game. That is impressive and then there is the technicalities and tactical decisions that he has made on the pitch for us.

"Ben is a quiet lad but is a leader for us in the group and somebody that the boys can't help but follow. He has been excellent."

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Carter has already been training with the Dragons seniors, working alongside first-teamers Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, Brandon Nansen and Joe Davies.

Williams said: "There is a good experienced group there for him to learn from but to be fair to him there are a lot of older boys who could learn quite a bit from his tactical nous at the lineout!"

It's easier for outside backs to be given a taste of senior rugby with a more careful approach needed for tight five forwards.

Carter is listed as being 18st 4lbs but has plenty of growing to do before mixing it with the big boys.

"There is a patience element with forwards and Ben has still got a lot of physical development to do," said Williams.

"We are in regular contact with the Dragons and what is pleasing with Dean Ryan is his track record in developing players, it's phenomenal across his career.

"His talk is about that patience and allowing the young players to grow, because if that policy is carried through at the Dragons there is a really exciting group in the coming years."

Carter is joined in the starting line-up for the clash against Scotland by Dragons centre Aneurin Owen with regional teammates Will Griffiths, Ed Scragg and Dafydd Buckland on the bench to cover hooker, lock and scrum-half respectively.

Wales U20: Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears), Frankie Jones (Aberavon), Bradley Roderick (Ospreys), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Mason Grady (Cardiff Blues), Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met); Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), Dom Booth (Scarlets), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), James Fender (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jac Morgan (Scarlets, captain), Morgan Strong (Ospreys)

Replacements: Will Griffiths (Dragons), Callum Williams (Scarlets), Harri O’Connor (Scarlets), Ed Scragg (Dragons), Gwilym Bradley (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), Luke Scully (Worcester Warriors)