LUKE Charteris has made it into the Wales team - now his aim is to make into the Newport Gwent Dragons line-up.

Charteris, a 21-year-old 6ft 9ins, 17st 3lbs giant, makes his full debut for Wales in Friday night's game against Romania at the Millennium Stadium, but he has yet to start a game for the Dragons.

He made 10 appearances for the Dragons last season, all as a replacement, and injuries this campaign have restricted him to just one walk-on part.

It's last season which gives the clue to his elevation into the national team before he has started for his region.

For then he came under the influence of Mike Ruddock, then in charge of the Dragons and now Wales coach, who spotted something special in Charteris, and not just his height.

He carefully nurtured him and earmarked him for the top, able to fast track him once he became national coach.

The first step, oddly enough, was to leave him out when Ruddock didn't pick him for the summer tour to Argentina and South Africa, instead leaving him behind for specialised training under fitness chief Andrew Hore.

He immediately made Ruddock's squad for this month's internationals, went on against South Africa last Saturday and now makes his first start for Wales.

Dragons coach Chris Anderson is unable to shed much light on Charteris' future prospects as he hasn't seen much of him because of toe and hamstring injuries which have kept him out since his arrival from Australia, as well as Welsh squad commitments.

"I can't tell you because I've hardly seen him play," said Anderson. "He got early injuries and we've been winning games so he's struggled to get in the side. But he's a strong kid, he's big and he's tall. Good luck to him."

The Wales management have no such doubts about the Redruth-born lock, who was brought up at Tregib near Llandeilo in West Wales and is studying for a sports science degree at Bath University.

"We are sometimes afraid of pushing young players in Wales compared with a country like Australia who do it regularly," said Ruddock. "But I know a lot about Luke after coaching him with the Dragons last season and I think he's got a big future."

Wales defence coach Clive Griffiths, assistant coach with the Dragons last season, agrees.

"He's got a fund of potential, he's been brought on at the right pace and he's ready to be launched on the international stage," said Griffiths.

Charteris joins fellow Dragons Hal Luscombe and Michael Owen in the Welsh team, though both switch positions, Luscombe from right to left wing and Owen from lock to number eight.

Three other Dragons - hooker Steve Jones, who loses his place, and half backs Ceri Sweeney and fit-again Gareth Cooper - are on the bench.

Ruddock makes six straight changes, including the recall of 90-times capped Gareth Llewellyn to help bring Charteris on. Gethin Jenkins and Mefin Davies are brought into the front row while Rhys Williams replaces injured Shane Williams - Brent Cockbain and Ryan Jones are also injured - and Tom Shanklin steps in for Sonny Parker, who has a slight back strain though he is on the bench.

Wales G Thomas (Toulouse) captain, R Williams, T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Neath Swansea Ospreys), H Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Jones (Clermont Auvergne), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), G Jenkins (Blues), M Davies, A Jones (Ospreys), G Llewellyn (Narbonne), L Charteris (Dragons), D Jones (Scarlets), M Owen (Dragons), C Charvis (Newcas-tle). Replacements: S Parker (Ospreys), C Sweeney, G Cooper, S Jones (Dragons), D Jones, J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues). Kick-off 7pm.