DRAGONS boss Dean Ryan believes Sam Davies' Wales recall is a reward for his bravery in making the switch to Rodney Parade.

The 26-year-old headed east from the Ospreys in the summer with a view to reigniting his Test career.

Davies won the last of his eight caps against Samoa in 2017 but is set to return to the international stage, albeit in an uncapped game, against the Barbarians tomorrow afternoon.

Injuries to Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell plus the unavailability of Northampton's Dan Biggar mean that the left-footer will be on the bench as cover for Jarrod Evans at Principality Stadium.

Wayne Pivac was not blessed with playmaking options but Davies, World Rugby's junior player of the year in 2013, had already put himself in the mix after starting life in Newport impressively.

South Wales Argus:

"I'd like to think that it's down to form and bravery," said director of rugby Ryan about the Wales call-up.

"When moving clubs you need to be bold sometimes, especially when playing 10 because you are effectively the heartbeat of how that club moves forward.

"All of us recognise that the Dragons are coming from a start point behind others, so for Sam to make that choice is commendable.

"I am delighted that people can recognise that and give him an opportunity to go into another environment where a new coaching group can learn more about him.

"He has played previously for Wales and people had got to an understanding about Sam, now I am pleased that another group will have a look at him.

"I have loved working with Sam and he has got a huge amount of potential. He needs a good week to illustrate that to other people."

South Wales Argus:

The fly-halves will be charged with getting the Wales back line firing as Pivac looks for a more enterprising approach.

"If you look at young Jarrod Evans, the strength of his game is his running. He's got other parts of his game that he's working on," said the New Zealander, who has replaced Warren Gatland.

"Johnny McNicholl brings a lot of X-factor. He's got a high workrate and gets around the park so it will be interesting to see how he goes in this particular match.

"We are looking at players who can fit into the style of game we want to play moving along."

Davies misses the Dragons' Guinness PRO14 encounter with Zebre in Newport tomorrow.

Ryan is likely to stick with the selection from last week's win against Enisei-STM in Russia - Arwel Robson at 10 with Jacob Botica backing him up after recovering from a blow to the head.