Hugo Ellis captained England in the Junior World Championship final

England's former under-20 Junior World Championship captain Hugo Ellis has joined the Newport Gwent Dragons - as he bids to play senior rugby for Wales.

The 22-year-old back-row forward, who had represented Wales under-16s before switching nations to play for England, has signed from English giants Wasps.

"It's a boost to have a player of Hugo's potential joining the Dragons," said Dragons team manager Robert Beale.

Ellis is Dragons coach Paul Turner's fourth signing already this summer.

He is set to replace Grant Webb as the Rodney Parade's region number eight as Webb is one of three New Zealanders, along with James Arlidge and Hoani MacDonald, to leave the Dragons.

Ellis joins Canada full-back Matt Evans, scrum-half Nicky Griffiths from Doncaster and former Wales fly-half Matthew Jones at the Dragons over the summer.

Middlesex-born Ellis, whose father Wyn is Welsh and played for Neath, skippered England to a 38-3 defeat to New Zealand in the 2008 Junior World Championship final in Swansea.

Now Ellis - the 16st 5lbs, 6ft 3ins powerhouse - has joined the Rodney Parade region as he seeks to catch the eye of Wales coach Warren Gatland as he has an outside chance of making Wales' 2011 World Cup squad.

606: DEBATE Ellis does seem to be an elite level player but, from what I saw of him, he is industrious and what I think defines him is his leadership abilities MunsterByTheGraceOfGod

Captain Ryan Jones is Wales' regular number eight but Gatland lacks alternative talent in that position.

Andy Powell, who did receive a summer Tour call before withdrawing injured, still has a reputation with the Welsh management to repair following his drink-drive conviction after driving a golf buggy down the M4 motorway.

Meanwhile Gareth Delve's Wales ambitions have not been helped by his move to new Australian Super 15 franchise Melbourne Rebels.

So the Dragons are hoping to benefit from Ellis' World Cup bid.

"His arrival is in keeping with our desire to repatriate Welsh players to the region," continued Beale.

"And continuing to build on our squad of young talented players.

"Hugo has impeccable age-grade qualifications and it is good news for both the region and the national side that he has chosen to pursue his senior rugby career in Wales."

Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks wished the youngster well, saying: "Hugo developed well through our academy ranks and the benefits were seen following his success at international age grade rugby.

"He has joined Newport Gwent Dragons and we wish him well in the next stage of his senior rugby career."

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