CAPTAIN Andrew Coombs will start for Newport Gwent Dragons against Glasgow tomorrow afternoon despite winning an unexpected ninth cap.

The 29-year-old lock came off the bench for Wales in the 27-6 Six Nations win against France at the Millennium Stadium last night.

After initially being left out of the 23, he was given a late promotion after Alun Wyn Jones was forced out by a foot infection and enjoyed a 10-minute cameo against Les Bleus.

Coombs asked the Wales management if he could still go back to lead his region in their RaboDirect Pro12 encounter and head coach Warren Gatland gave the green light.

The captain tweeted in the early hours of this morning: “Not long got home...need to get some sleep. Got a team run tomorrow morning (sic) and game on Sunday for the Dragons #StandUpForTheMenOfGwent”

Coombs will be desperate to impress against the Pro12 title hopefuls if he is to force his way into Gatland’s thoughts for Twickenham a week on Saturday.

He has never let Wales down with his wholehearted performances but Jones will be back for the England encounter and Jake Ball made an accomplished first Test start alongside Luke Charteris against Les Bleus.