KEVIN Morgan has received the perfect birthday present with his call-up for Wales for Saturday's Six Nations Championship clash with France in Paris.

Morgan celebrates his 28th birthday today by winning his 30th cap, his first start on the wing and his first start since the World Cup-tie against Italy in Canberra 16 months ago.

Since then he has been dogged by injuries and for a brief period early last summer was without a team after the collapse of the Celtic Warriors.

Then Newport Gwent Dragons snapped him up and he has never looked back.

Though a full back by nature, Morgan was switched to the wing at the start of December to accommodate Percy Montgomery and himself in the Dragons back division.

He has since played seven games in a row there, scoring five tries in addition to four earlier, and has impressed with his adaptability. The switch has added another string to his bow, and he was called in to the Wales squad, appearing against England and Italy as a replacement.

Now he makes his first appearance at the Stade de France. "I was on the bench in 1999 (when Wales won), but I've never played out there before so I'm looking forward to it.

"When you come off the bench you want to make your mark and I've obviously done that, though I'm still finding out what my best position is for Wales.

"The atmosphere was amazing when I was last there, and it will be important for us to start well and quieten the crowd down, that will be the key for us."

Morgan replaces Dragons teammate Hal Luscombe, who was ruled out by the hamstring injury he suffered against Italy.

Luscombe didn't train at all last week and when he tried to run yesterday realised he wouldn't make it. He has played on for the Dragons and Wales despite knee and thumb injuries as well.

The other change in the Wales team brings Ryan Jones, the former Newport Under-21 player from High Cross, in at blindside flanker.

Now with the Ospreys he gives the Welsh pack a ball carrying option, especially with Dafydd Jones and Colin Charvis out, and replaces Jonathan Thomas. He drops down to the bench in place of the Dragons' Ian Gough.

Meanwhile, the Dragons' Wales players were contacted yesterday to re-assure them about their future and the ambitions of the region after misplaced speculation about financial difficulties.

l No Celtic League games will be played during the Autumn internationals or Six Nations next season and all three nations will use finishing positions as qualification for the Heineken Cup.

Players' appearances will be controlled and the Celtic Cup will cease.

The three countries have also signed a new three-year agreement until May 2008.