HIGHLY-RATED former Malton RUFC prop Tom Francis is being tipped for an international future with Wales.

The 22-year-old Exeter Chiefs front-rower was drafted into the Welsh squad ahead of tomorrow's RBS Six Nations clash with unbeaten title favourites Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

Although he failed to make coach Warren Gatland's final 22, assistant coach Shaun Edwards believes there is "a lot of potential" in the uncapped forward.

Burythorpe-born Francis, who tips the scales at 21 stone, came through the junior ranks at The Gannock, but left the Ryedale club three years ago to join Doncaster Knights.

Having made the grade in South Yorkshire, he moved to London Scottish and then on to Exeter, where he has been taking the Aviva Premiership by storm.

Edwards, Wales assistant coach and defence specialist, said: "His scrummaging is outstanding, but he is also a skilful player as well.

"Francis is a big kid, and I have seen him play. The scrum at Exeter has been going excellently recently, so we have brought him in.

"He is a young man who is coming from a great environment at Exeter which prides itself on hard work, and we would like to think we are a similar sort of environment.

"It's a case of trying to get the best players playing for us, and we see a lot of potential in this lad."

The tight-head is expected to be pushing for a World Cup squad place with Wales later this year if he continues on his upward curve.

Francis qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, Eirlys Walters, who was from Abercrave, in the Swansea valley.

Malton spokesman Bill Laidler said: "He played for us only three seasons ago, so to see him drafted into the Wales squad is fantastic.

"He is a Burythorpe lad, but his grandmother was Welsh apparently. I am surprised England didn't get hold of him.

"He has taken Exeter by storm and it is clear that he is in Wales' thoughts."