NEWCASTLE back row forward Colin Charvis, the former Wales captain, is expecting a warm reception at Rodney Parade tomorrow in their Heineken Cup-tie against Newport Gwent Dragons.

It will be his first club appearance in Wales for at least two years and it is likely to be in the openside flanker position.

"When I was with Swansea I played against Newport over an eight-year period. It's a great rugby city, very passionate and of the major cities in Wales it's the only one that doesn't have a Football League team," he said.

"It doesn't have a big soccer background so rugby really is number one there.

"The Dragons are a very good team and have won their last five games. I watched a tape of their game against the Borders last week. It was a cold old night up there, but they put in a performance to win.

"The Dragons have beaten some very strong sides and they've got international-standard players in virtually every position."

Charvis is eagerly anticipating his personal duel with Dragons captain Jason Forster. " He's a very experienced player and I've been up against him many times so that will be good fun!" he said.

"Michael Owen is one of the up and coming stars of Welsh rugby and everyone knows he has a huge future.

"I like Jamie Ringer as well. He is a player of speed and has a good instinct for the game." Charvis fully expects the game to capture some of the fervour which accompanies clashes between leading Welsh and English teams.

"I'd put money on the fact that at some point between now and kick-off someone will refer to this as Wales against England," he said.

"The passion in Wales when they get to play against an English side will come to the fore.

"We can't ignore that, but we have to be right on the edge and do the best we can. We have got a good side, but we know we will have to put in a big performance."