Wales wing Harry Rees-Weldon out of World U20 Championships
The loss of the 20-year-old for the tournament in Italy is a hammer blow for Wales, who will miss his power running.
Rees-Weldon starred with a try-scoring performance in the Six Nation upset of Grand Slam-chasing England in Cardiff.
The speedster then crossed on his Dragons debut against the Ospreys and started in the games in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls.
However, Rees-Weldon suffered a leg injury on his return to training with the Welsh youngsters ahead of the world cup and has been ruled out.
It is not serious and the promising prospect, who has developed with Ebbw Vale in the Premiership and Super Rygbi Cymru, will target a pre-season return.
PROMISING: Dragons wing Harry Rees-Weldon has been ruled out of Wales' World Rugby U20 Championship campaign (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)
'Harry is out after an injury in training,' confirmed Wales head coach Richard Whiffin. 'It's such a shame because he was brilliant at the back end of the Six Nations.
'He then showed that he can step up to the next level with the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship but sadly he won't make the plane.
'Harry is in rehab already and now it's up to others to step up in what is a strong area for us, with Tom Bowen to come back into the mix [after missing the warm-up defeat to England]. One guy's misfortune is another's opportunity.'
Rees-Weldon will not feature in the championship but 10 Dragons are in the mix for the final squad, which will now be named after Friday's second tune-up against Italy.
The initial plan was to announce those who have made the cut before that friendly at Cardiff Arms Park but that has changed due to a number of injury doubts.
TOWERING: Dragons lock Nick Thomas will add physicality to the Wales pack (Image: Richard Sellers)
One of those is Dragons lock Nick Thomas, who is making good progress in his return from an ankle injury suffered in the Six Nations opener against France.
The 19-year-old, who caught the eye against Newcastle, Cardiff and the Scarlets last season, is set for a return to competitive action.
'Nick has trained with us and hopefully will get some game time against Italy,' said Whiffin. 'He is tracking well to hopefully get the opportunity [at the championship].'
The Dragons in the extended squad are winger Ioan Duggan, fly-half Harri Ford, scrum-half Logan Franklin, props George Tuckley and Owain James, lock Thomas and back row forwards Harry Beddall, Evan Minto, Ryan Jones and Cerrig Smith.
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