Five Dragons players have been selected for Warren Gatland’s squad to face the Baa-Baas in preparation for the rugby World Cup this autumn.
Welsh regular Danny Lydiate has been joined by returning caps Luke Charteris and Aled Brew, whilst back row Toby Faletau and hooker Lloyd Burns make up half of the uncapped contingent.
“I’m delighted for the boys,” said Dragons Head Coach Darren Edwards. “They have put in a great deal of effort and commitment for the region and I don’t doubt that they will do the same for their country.
“Obviously there has been a lot of talk about Toby but Lloyd is also an exciting player and has a great deal to offer.
Luke has shown great leadership this season and Aled has had a fantastic year of form for us. Danny has of course proven himself on the international stage over the last couple of season. I think these selections really show the level of ambition at Rodney Parade and the quality of players we have.”
Gavin Henson (Toulon) and also returns could win his 32nd cap after a two year lay-off alongside Dragons wing Aled Brew, who himself last featured for Wales against Fiji in November 2010.
The Baa-Baas side will feature the likes of Italian talisman Sergio Parisse, South African Rugby World Cup winners Francois Steyn and Ruan Pienaar and 98-times capped Welshman Martyn Williams.
Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones is set to join Gareth Thomas as the most capped player in Welsh rugby history by making his 100th appearance against the Baa-baas.
"We have selected some exciting youngsters who have been chosen on form in the knowledge that there are a few players who are being rested or are injured for this game, but it means they have a chance to impress," said Gatland.
"It's a great opportunity for us to look at some players that have been hitting their form over the last few weeks.
"These are really exciting times for us as a squad, the Rugby World Cup is on the horizon and we begin our preparations with this first up match against the Barbarians before two intensive training camps in Poland and then our final three matches in August," said Gatland.
"Sam Warburton takes over the captaincy mantle from Matthew Rees, who is rested. Sam is one of the leaders in the squad and will benefit from the experience of captaining the side after having such an impressive Six Nations campaign."
WALES
Paul JAMES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6'1" / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 8, L 13, D 1)
John YAPP (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,031)
DoB: 09.04.83. 6'2" / 1.88m. 19st 4lbs / 122.4kgs
International record: 21 caps (W 14, L 7)
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6'0"/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs
International record: Uncapped
Scott ANDREWS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 01.08.89. 6'2" / 1.88m. 18st 7lbs / 117kgs
International record: Uncapped
Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6'0" / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 38 caps (W 18, L 19, D 1)
Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,048)
DoB: 13.12.83. 6'0" / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)
Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Uncapped)
DoB: 09.12.84. 6'0" / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: Uncapped
Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6'5" / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 48 caps (W 19, L 29; 25 pts - 5T)
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6'5" / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 51 caps (W 26, L 23, D 2; 5 pts - 1T)
Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6'9" / 2.06m. 29st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 11, L 11)
Lou REED (SCARLETS - Uncapped)
DoB: 10.09.87. 6'6" / 1.99m. 17st 11lbs / 113kgs
International record: Uncapped
Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6'4". 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 10 caps (W 4, L 5, D 1)
Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Uncapped)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6'2". 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: Uncapped
Josh TURNBULL (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,079)
DoB: 12.03.88. 1.93m / 6'4". 15st 8lbs / 99kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)
Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN - Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6'2". 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 7, L 7; 5 pts - 1T)
Mike PHILLIPS (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6'3" / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 51 caps (W 24, L 25, D 2; 25 pts - 5T)
Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6'1" / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)
Stephen JONES (SCARLETS - Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1" / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 99 caps (W 40, L 55, D 3; 881 pts - 7T, 138C, 184PG, 6DG)
Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6'0". 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)
Gavin HENSON (TOULON - Cap No 990)
DoB: 01.02.82. 6'0" / 1.83m. 15st 10lbs / 100kgs
International record: 31 caps (W 17, L 13, D 1; 130 pts - 3T,29C,18PG,1DG)
Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS - Uncapped)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6'0" / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: Uncapped
Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6'1" / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 6, L 5; 10 pts - 2T)
Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS - Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5'7" / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 79 caps (W 38, L 39, D 2; 265 pts - 53T)
Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,051)
DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0" / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs
International record: 4 caps (L 3, D 1)
George NORTH (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6'4" / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 4 caps (L 3, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Morgan STODDART (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,056)
DoB: 23.09.84. 6'1" / 1.86m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3; 20 pts - 4T)
