WALES squad members Andy Marinos, Nathan Brew, Ian Gough and Rhys Oakley all line up for Newport Gwent Dragons in their first Celtic League game of the season against Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on Saturday night.

They failed to gain a place in Wales' World Cup squad so will be available for the Dragons from the start of the season.

Oakley, a complete newcomer after joining the Dragons from Bristol, made his debut for Wales against Ireland last month and was also a replacement against England.

He is a dashing back row forward, who packs down at number eight at Llanelli alongside Shawn van Rensberg and Jason Forster in a strong back row.

Marinos, Brew and Gough all played in the victory against Romania and, along with Oakley, have hardly trained with the Dragons because of Wales commitments.

But Wales' loss is the Dragons' gain though coach Mike Ruddock warns, "Llanelli looked formidable against Newcastle last weekend.

"They've got Chris Wyatt and Vernon Cooper back, Scott Quinnell and Ian Boobyer in the back row, John Davies at prop, scrum half Mike Phillips, Salesi Finau and Barry Davies as well as Leigh Davies as captain. So that will be tough first up."

The Dragons have four Wales squad members in their side, but will be without Ross Beattie, who is on Scotland duty, as well as Michael Owen, Rod Snow and Percy Montgomery. Lock Neil Edwards is out for another two months after a shoulder operation.

Marinos will partner Steve Winn in the centre. Winn recovered from injury after scoring a hat-trick of tries in the opening friendly at Penzance.

Brew plays on the wing along with Ben Breeze, Craig Warlow is at outside-half and Hal Luscombe, who won a cap as a late replacement against Scotland, is on the bench.

Dragons captain Marinos now launches himself into the Celtic League, believing it can be a success.

"The important thing is to get results. It was never going to be easy, it's a slow evolution and the biggest thing is to win people over," he said.

"It's important people identify with the Dragons, it's the same players - just a different name."

Team v Llanelli: B Davey, N Brew, A Marinos (captain), S Winn, B Breeze, C Warlow, R Jones, A Black, P Young, C Anthony, I Gough, P Sidoli, S van Rensberg, R Oakley, J Forster.

Replacements: H Luscombe, L Jarvis, B Shelbourne, D Pattison, S Jones, L Charteris, J Ringer. Kick off 5.30pm.