WALES scrum half Gareth Cooper makes his first start for Newport Gwent Drag-ons in Friday night's Celtic League clash with Glasgow at Hugh-enden.

He replaces vice-captain Gareth Baber, who has a slight elbow injury though he is on the bench.

Cooper played right through last season's Six Nations Championship campaign, but then needed a shoulder operation which ruled him out of Wales' tour to Argentina and South Africa.

By that time he had joined the Dragons after the demise of Celtic Warriors, but he required lengthy rehabilitation and missed all three pre-season friendlies.

Coach Chris Anderson, also new after his rugby league background, decided to stick with Baber for the early matches as a reward for his consistent form last season.

But Cooper has gone on late in both league games against Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets and immediately made things happen with his speed of delivery and thought while half back partner Ceri Sweeney also appeared to flourish. Now Cooper gets his chance to start against Glasgow opponents who thrashed the Dragons at the same ground back in March.

It is, therefore, a timely full debut by the classy scrum half, while the Dragons are also strengthened by the return of Michael Owen, though it is at lock rather than the number eight position Mike Ruddock preferred him with the Dragons and does now with Wales.

Owen has recovered from his eye injury which means Peter Sidoli drops down to the bench, while the back row of Jamie Ringer, Richard Bryan and captain Jas-on Forster re-mains intact for the third league game in a row.

Another player nursing a slight injury is centre Jonathan Bryant and while he in on the bench as well, it means Sione Tuipulotu starts at inside centre.

It's his first full game of the season, all the more remarkable as he returned to the country only three weeks ago after visa problems which meant he missed all the pre-season training and friendly games.

And last season he featured exclusively at full back for the Dragons, though he had also played for Newport at outside half.

But he has impressed as a late replacement for Bryant in the opening two league games, using his strength and elusiveness to create openings.

There will be a late decision on the tight head prop position, Chris Anthony being given every chance to recover from the rib injury which caused his late withdrawal from the team against the Scarlets.

He has been bracketed with Rhys Thomas while Ross Beattie also hopes to recover from a knee strain to be a replacement, Rhys Oakley standing by.

Team: K Morgan, G Wyatt, H Luscombe, S Tuipulotu, N Brew, C Sweeney, G Cooper, R Snow, S Jones, C Anthony or R Thomas, I Gough, M Owen, J Ringer, R Bryan, J Forster (captain). Replacements: J Bryant, C Warlow, G Baber, A Black, J Richards, P Sidoli, R Beattie or R Oakley. Kick off 7.30pm.