NEWPORT Gwent Drag-ons flanker Jason Forster is at long last on the brink of being called into the Wales squad.

He has been knocking on the door for years, but has been consistently overlooked, often in favour of inferior players.

Newport fans have been consistently amazed at Forster's omission such is his form on a regular basis.

He made 108 appearances in four seasons with his home town club after joining them from Bedford. He has rarely faltered, an abrasive in-your-face kind of openside flanker who makes himself a real nuisance to opposing outside halves.

He gets his share of tries as well, five this season so far, 13 last season, 11 the year before and seven in his first year.

For the past couple of years it has been argued that Forster is the wrong side of 30 to be in the running for national recognition.

But now at last a Wales coach is taking notice of Forster's performances, and he's not bothered about the age factor either.

Steve Hansen was at Rodney Parade watching Saturday's Heineken Cup-tie against Stade Francais, and was again impressed by Forster.

"I've watched Jason three or four times and I've been very impressed. If he keeps playing like that age won't be a problem," said Hansen of 32-year-old Forster.

Hansen can add to the preliminary Six Nations training squad he announced last week at any time.

Two young opensides are in there - Richie Pugh of Neath-Swansea Ospreys and James Merriman of Gloucester - along with former captain Martyn Williams and Gavin Thomas.

If Williams gets injured there is even a possibility Forster could make a challenge for a place in the full Six Nations squad.

Fellow back row forward Colin Charvis is set to retain the Wales captaincy for the Six Nations despite playing for French Second Division club Tarbes.

"He was the leading tackler and a real star in the World Cup," said Hansen, who remains convinced that Charvis is the man for the job, though he is also now over 30.