NEWCASTLE Emlyn star Gareth Thomas is one of five uncapped players in Wales' 34-man squad looking to make their mark this summer.

The loosehead prop is currently in the training squad in north Wales, ahead of the home games against Canada and Argentina, twice, in July.

It caps a fine year for the 26 year-old front row forward, who extended his contract with the Ospreys with a new two-year deal back in April.

A former pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi in Llandysul, Thomas has caught the eye of the national selectors with some terrific performances.

His scrummaging and ball carrying has made him one of the most improved Ospreys players this season, and his first senior cap is within reach.

“We’re always excited to bring new players into the squad," said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac on his squad announcement.

"We've got 10 players with the Lions, so there were always going to be new caps, and we have an opportunity to build depth.

"This is a golden opportunity for us to have a look at the uncapped players to see how well they get on at this level of the game.

“They are not the finished product, but that’s why we’re bringing them into this environment and having a closer look at them.

“It's an opportunity, much like the autumn campaign last year, to get these players in and expose them to test match preparation."

Thomas joined the Ospreys in 2014 from Carmarthen Quins, having also represented Newcastle Emlyn, Llanelli and the Scarlets.

He was an integral part of the successful Wales Under 20s squad that reached the Junior World Championship final in 2013.

Having become a first-team regular at the Liberty Stadium, he is now keen to prove himself on the senior international stage.

Pivac added: "We are really looking forward to this summer, working with squad and the three home tests that we will face.

“After the training camp in North Wales, we return to Cardiff for our three tests, so it is a great block of time we have together.

“Whilst the Six Nations success is fresh in many people’s memories it is important we build for the World Cup in 2023.”

Thomas will be competing for a place in the Wales side with fellow Ospreys loosehead props Rhodri Jones and Nicky Smith.

Meanwhile Leon Brown, Tomas Francis and Dillon Lewis have been named as the tight-head props in the 34-man squad.

Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias and Sam Parry, who made his debut back in the Autumn Nations Cup, are named as the three hookers.

Also getting their first Wales call ups are Scarlets winger Tom Rogers, Dragons pair Ben Carter and Taine Basham, and  Blues centre Ben Thomas.

Wales face Canada on 3 July, which will be followed by back-to-back Test matches against Argentina on 10 and 17 July.