WALES coach Steve Hansen today promised fans his side would take on the Barbarians on Saturday in the free-running spirit intended.

He said he intended to use all his 22-man squad at some stage and give some relative newcomers a chance to prove themselves on the big stage.

But Hansen (pictured) promised that would not be at the expense of the kind of entertainment the fans expected from such occasions.

"I'll be looking to utilise all of the squad with particular reference to the new players and those we haven't seen for some time," he said.

"The game is a great opportunity to put into place some of the things we have been doing in training without giving too much away to Australia and New Zealand before we go on tour.

"The Barbarians are a very good side who played awesomely well against England and their coach is obviously taking it a little bit more serious than some of his predecessors.

"He has the Barbarians well organised and when you get a team with such talent well-drilled then they are going to be hard to contain. But nevertheless we have got to play the game in the right spirit.

"Wales v Barbarians games have traditionally been highlights on the rugby calendar and we need to live up to that. If that means running rugby I don't think anyone will be worried. It's not the result but the performances within the game that are going to be important to us."

"I hope the people of Wales will get behind Neil Jenkins on his 100th and final appearance for Wales. I hope they come and show him what he means to them. It would be nice to have the stadium full for what should be a cracking game."

Hansen yesterday named his squad to face the Baa-baas which includes uncapped forwards Alix Popham (Leeds, ex-Newport)and Adam Jones (Neath), once capped Garan Evans of Llanelli at full back and Cardiff's Iestyn Harris at centre.

Cardiff's Martyn Williams will be captain but will play only one half and one from Colin Charvis, Robyn McBride or Stephen Jones will lead in the second half.

Of Harris, he said: "We are comfortable with the way Stephen Jones and Ceri Sweeney are going and we see Iestyn now as fulfilling the utility role. If we are going to use him at 12 we need to give him as many opportunities there as we possibly can."

Hansen said 18-20 places were virtually cemented in his World Cup squad but that there was still time for people to claim places either on the forthcoming Australia and New Zealand tour or from the extra summer training members

Ebbw Vale-born Huw Bennett (Swansea) replaces hamstring injury victim Gareth Williams (Bridgend) as one tour hooker while Newport players Ian Gough, Andy Marinos and Hal Luscombe and Gwent-bound Rhys Oakley and Michael Owen are in the training squad.

Wales (v Barbarians): G Evans (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bridgend), M Taylor (Swansea), I Harris (Cardiff), R Williams (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli), D Peel (Llanelli), R McBryde (Llanelli), A Jones (Neath), V Cooper (Llanelli), G Llewellyn (Neath), C Charvis (Swansea), M Williams (Cardiff), A Popham (Leeds Tykes). Replacements: M Davies (Pontypridd), B Evans (Cardiff), G Delve (Bath Rugby), C Wyatt (Llanelli), M Phillips (Llanelli), N Jenkins (Pontypridd), T Shanklin (Saracens).

Additional players going on Wales 2003 tour to Australia and New Zealand: G Jenkins (Pontypridd), H Bennett (Swansea), R Sidoli (Pontypridd), D Jones (Llanelli), G Cooper (Bath), C Sweeney (Pontypridd), S Parker (Pontypridd), M Jones (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bridgend), J Robinson (Cardiff).

Additional preliminary summer training squad players: K Morgan, G Henson, L Davies, D James, N Robinson, C Morgan, R Powell, A Marinos, H Luscombe, M Watkins, M Madden, D Jones, G Williams, M Rees, R Sowden-Taylor, D Jones, I Gough, R Parks, J Thomas, M Owen, J Bater, R Oakley, S Williams, G Thomas, B Cockbain.