NEWPORT Gwent Dragons were hoping to have a bumper six players on the Wales tour to Argentina and South Africa next month when the squad was annou-nced today.

Mike Ruddock, who has finally relinquished his duties as Dragons coach and taken over with Wales, was set to reward many of his former players at Rodney Parade.

Regarded as certainties were lock/No 8 Michael Owen, flanker Jason Forster and wings Nathan Brew and Hal Luscombe. Lock Peter Sidoli and hooker Steve Jones were possibilities.

The selection of all or most of them would be a major consolation for missing out on the Celtic League title after a brave final effort in Dublin against Leinster.

Wales will be without around 15 players for the tour and the match against the Barbarians next week.

Ruled out are Stephen Jones, Iestyn Harris, Mark Taylor, Jamie Robinson, Mark Jones, Kevin Morgan, Matthew Watkins, Gareth Cooper, Ryan Powell, Gareth Williams,Robin McBryde, Barry Williams and Robert Sidoli while Tom Shanklin is doubtful and Martyn Williams is remaining at home to work on building up strength and fitness.

The loss of so many will provide other players with a chance, notably Dragons wings Nathan Brew and Hal Luscombe, who have both made rapid strides this season.

Owen has shown great skill as an all-round, ball handling back five forward, and the only question is whether Ruddock uses him as a lock, as predecessor Steve Hansen did, or at number eight, his original position.

Forster has been in superb form for the Dragons, though no more than in previous years, and is finally set to receive his reward.

Sidoli and Jones have been consistent, Sidoli playing in every one of the Dragons 29 matches, starting them all except one, a remarkable record.

Jones is another underrated player who could capitalise on the absence of McBryde and Gareth Williams plus the international retirement of Barry Williams.

Expected to come in from the cold is prop Darren Morris, now with Leicester, while Gavin Henson could step up.

l Dragons back row forward Ross Beattie has pulled out of Scotland's squad for Saturday's game against the Barbarians and the tour to Australia and New Zealand because he has failed to recover from a thigh injury.

"It's disappointing but now I've got to look at getting fully fit this summer," he said.