Backs coach Darren Edwards arrived at Rodney Parade this season

Newport Gwent Dragons backs coach Darren Edwards says Wales should look at picking more of the region's players for the summer tour to New Zealand.

The Dragons have secured their Heineken Cup place for next season and are still in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Magners League.

And Edwards says a number of players should be in contention for call-ups.

"I think the time has come to have a look at our boys a little more closely," he said.

"Possibly invest in them a little more resource and time and see how far they can take them.

"The response I've seen over this season and where those boys have come from and where they are at the moment is immense.

"I'm sure there's more left in them."

Back rower Dan Lydiate and lock Luke Charteris are currently the only recognised Dragons players in the Wales set-up.

Wing Aled Brew has three caps, but has not featured for his country since 2007.

But Edwards believes along with Brew, full-back Martyn Thomas, scrum-half Wayne Evans, wing Will Harries and centre Ashley Smith deserve a chance after impressing in a side that has turned their fortunes around this season.

Ashley Smith is like glue for our team Dragons backs coach Darren Edwards

The perennial bottom Welsh region in the Magners League have rid themselves of that unwanted tag this season and are currently the second-placed Welsh side behind the Ospreys with two games to go.

The Dragons are sixth in the table, four points off fourth place, while they lead the Cardiff Blues by two points and the Scarlets in ninth by 15 points.

"What people don't realise is the age of some of these players," he said. "Aled Brew is 23 years old but people think he's been around for ages.

"There's nobody of that sort of power or build in Wales and he deserves some time invested in him.

"Will Harries has come on the scene now and is probably the closest to [Wales record try scorer] Shane Williams in terms of beating their man one-on-one.

"Wayne Evans is a game controller and could be a feature for Wales to get this continuity game going for them.

"There's unsung heroes as well - Ashley Smith is like glue for our team.

"I can't speak about what the Wales coaching philosophies are but as a team player and player that makes things happen in our unit, he's been fantastic.

"And Martyn Thomas, the way he carries the ball back is electric."

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