HAL Luscombe is hoping his form in the next two Heineken Cup-ties for Newport Gwent Dragons against Edinburgh and Newcastle will guarantee his place for Wales in next month's Six Nations showdown against England.

The Dragons threequarter is under pressure to keep the place he won at the start of the autumn internationals against South Africa but surrendered by the end of the series because of a knee injury.

Time is short because Wales coach Mike Ruddock is due to name his Six Nations squad on January 19 after watching the Welsh regions in the final two Heineken Cup group weekends.

Tom Shanklin seized his chance so well that he scored eight tries in three matches, a record-equalling four against Romania, three against Japan and another one against New Zealand.

Luscombe, Shanklin and Sonny Parker, the present occupier, would all ideally like to play at outside centre, but Parker looks like keeping the position which leaves Luscombe and Shanklin battling for the right wing berth, Shane Williams sure of his place on the other flank.

"Tom has been playing well, but he wants to play centre, so it means there are three of us scrapping for the 13 jersey. That's where I'd like to play, though I was the number one wing at the start of November," said Luscombe

"But it's not the type of thing you think about. I've just got to concentrate on playing as well as I can for the Dragons and hope we get a couple of results. If the team do well it could swing it in my favour."

Luscombe is happy with his form since his return from injury and feels his defence, in particular, has improved considerably.

"I struggled with a knee injury and I was off for a month, but now I'm so focused on playing as well as I can and at the top of my form again," he said. "In the last two games I've made 13 and 11 tackles which is more than I've ever done.

"We know we've got to win and score four tries against Edinburgh on Saturday. You do things maybe you wouldn't otherwise, but it won't be sevens and if we do the basics well and just play them the bonus point will come."

But the Dragons will again be without inspirational scrum half Gareth Cooper, who misses his eighth game in the last ten because of a groin strain which followed an earlier knee injury.

Jason Forster returns to lead the side after being out for over a month with appendicitis.

"He looks 100%, if I didn't pick him he'd probably hit me," joked coach Chris Anderson. "We've missed his enthusiasm and athleticism, he's been fed up but now he's like an 11-year-old."

Wales number eight Michael Owen, who has led the side in Forster's absence, welcomes him back.

"He's a good player and we've missed him. His enthusiasm brings something to the team. It will lift us and give us the impetus we need," he said.

"He loves competing, he's an honest player and a good example to have."

Anderson has bowed to pressure to start with the hugely promising 6ft 10ins Luke Charetris at lock and main jumper which means Peter Sidoli is on the bench and Ian Gough back at lock.

Jamie Ringer moves from open to blindside while Rhys Thomas returns at prop.

Team: P Montgomery, N Brew, H Luscombe, S Tuipulotu, K Morgan, C Sweeney, G Baber, A Black, S Jones, R Thomas, I Gough, L Charteris, J Ringer, M Owen, J Forster (captain). Replacements: G Wyatt, S Winn, C Warlow, C Anthony, J Richards, P Sidoli, R Oakley.

Edinburgh will be captained by Scotland lock Scott Murray. The equally experienced Todd Blackadder is on the bench as the bottom team in the table go for mobility.

Team: D Lee, M Dey, H Southwell, B Macdougall, P Boston, B Laney, R Lawson, A Jacobsen, A Kelly, C Smith, F Pringle, S Murray, A Strokosch, D Callam, A Hogg. Replacements: C Joiner, P Godman, M Blair, A Dickinson, D Hall, A Kellock, T Blackadder. Kick off 2.30pm.