NEWPORT Gwent Dragons flanker Jason Forster was today due to be rewarded for an outstanding season by being handed his senior Wales debut against the Barbarians.

New Wales coach Mike Ruddock was naming his team for next Wednesday's Ashton Gate clash today and Forster seemed sure to be included.

It will be a belated international debut at the age of 33 for a player voted this week one of Wales' most overlooked players.

But Forster may be the only newcomer in Ruddock's side, though injuries mean there have to be several changes from former coach Steve Hansen's last match, the Six Nations win over Italy.

The half backs Stephen Jones and Gareth Cooper, centres Mark Taylor and Iestyn Harris and hooker Robin McBryde are among a dozen players injured while Martyn Williams is also absent.

The latter's absence will give Forster his chance while Mefin Davies, a Celtic Warrior apparently unwanted by the other regions, seems sure to start at hooker as he was Wales A skipper under Ruddock.

The former Dragons coach has this week stressed the importance of continuity, so is likely to stick to most of the available players used by Hanson.

That means a likely half back pairing of Dwayne Peel and Ceri Sweeney with Sonny Parker and Tom Shanklin in the centre.

With Ruddock having given few clues whether he favours Gethin Jenkins as a loose head or tight head prop or Michael Owen as a lock or No 8, some of the forward spots are harder to predict.

Wales (possible): G Thomas, R Williams, S Parker, T Shanklin, S Williams, C Sweeney, D Peel, I Thomas/D Jones, M Davies, G Jenkins/D Morris, G Llewellyn, M Owen, C Charvis, J Forster, D Jones.

l It is unlikely any of the Celtic Warriors, currently free agents as the WRU and Leighton Samuel argue over their future, will join a new region until next month.

The Dragons remain favourites to secure half backs Sweeney and Cooper.

l With 17 teams in the Welsh Premier Division next season, three will be relegated at the end of the campaign with the top two from Division One promoted.