CARLOS Spencer (King Carlos), one of the great names of world rugby and probably the game's finest entertainer, steps out on to Rodney Parade for the first time tomorrow night.

The former All Blacks outside half has been named in a stronger than expected Northampton team to face Newport Gwent Dragons in their EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup tie.

Spencer missed last week's match against Worcester with a groin strain, and with the Saints losing it was thought he would be rested and kept back for the more demanding Guinness Premiership games to come, especially as they are in the lower half of the table.

But coach Paul Grayson, the former England outside half, was angry with his team's display and has picked as strong a side as he can, though Bruce Reihana, Ben Cohen, Steve Thompson and Jon Clarke are injured and Paul Tupai is banned.

British Lions and Scotland prop Tom Smith has also been included after being out with a knee injury, along with Scotland wing Sean Lamont and Spencer's fellow New Zealand half back Mark Robinson, who scored one of the tries of the season against the Dragons at Franklins Gardens last season.

Dragons coach Paul Turner, himself a former outside half entertainer, has no doubts about the pulling power of Spencer.

"My home in Hertfordshire is 40 miles from Northampton and if I wasn't doing the job I am I'd be buying a season ticket to watch this guy," he said.

"Carlos Spencer is tremendous value for money. When he doesn't play Northampton are ordinary, but when he does people get their money's worth.

"That's what a major overseas player is all about and one thing for certain, if we are lax he will tear us apart."

Spencer, rumoured to be the highest paid player in Great Britain, is 31 later this month and won 35 caps for New Zealand. He made his debut in 1997 and his last appearance was in 2004.

He scored 291 Test points from 14 tries, 49 conversions and 41 penalties and played twice against Wales - the World Cup thriller in Sydney in November 2003 when the All Blacks won 53-37 and in the preceding June when Wales were thumped 55-3 in Hamilton.

The Dragons can expect a backlash according to Saints coach Paul Grayson who said, "Last week (they lost at home to Worcester) was my most hurtful as a coach. There were positive chances for people to show how much it means to them.

"This week is pretty clear-cut with both teams chasing a bonus point win, so hopefully it'll be fast and furious."

Team: R Kydd, S Lamont, C Wyles, D Quinlan, P Diggin, C Spencer, M Robinson, T Smith, D Hartley, P Barnard, C Short, Damien Browne, Daniel Brown, B Lewitt, D Fox. Kick off 5.30pm.