WARREN Gatland says Newport Gwent Dragons' Guinness Pro12 troubles have made it hard for their players to force their way into the Wales squad.

The national boss yesterday named a 35-strong group for the friendly with England at Twickenham and three-Test tour to New Zealand that also features a midweek clash with the Chiefs.

Newport Gwent Dragons wing/full-back Hallam Amos will be pushing for a start against the All Blacks alongside Bath-bound number eight Taulupe Faletau while Tyler Morgan is selected as fourth-choice centre behind Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams.

Dragons hooker Elliot Dee remains on the radar of the Wales coaches but hasn't ousted Cardiff Blues rival Kristian Dacey from the squad.

And when asked whether the Rodney Parade side's poor Pro12 campaign in which they won just four games had made it tough for talented individuals to force their way in, Gatland answered in the affirmative.

"When you look at players, you want players coming out of winning sides, players coming into a team and being successful," said the New Zealander.

"Despite players performing well as individual it doesn't make a huge difference so some of the selections have been historical in terms of the players we know and who have performed for us in the past in our squad rather than domestic form."

Gatland then widened his response to include the Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues after a season in which only the men from Llanelli have qualified for the Champions Cup.

"There's probably not one player in Wales at the moment who you'd say his form is so good you can't leave him out," he said after opting to go to New Zealand with one specialist openside in Sam Warburton despite strong claims by the Scarles' James Davies and Blues' Ellis Jenkins.

"You would like to be in those situation domestically where you have two or three players who are performing at such a level their selection is guaranteed or warranted because of the way they have played.

"It's unfortunate but sometimes it's hard for players to excel in teams that aren't towards the top of the table.

"Hopefully the regions can put this season behind them, start afresh next year and be more successful, not only in terms of potentially trophies but being the other end of the table."

Forwards coach Robin McBryde has pinpointed the likes of Dee, lock Matthew Screech, props Leon Brown and Luke Garrett and back row forwards Ollie Griffiths and Harri Keddie as being players of promise at the Dragons.