Tight challenge for Morris Wales squad in full

Many have feared that an injury-ravaged party could be on a hiding to nothing, but the players insist they have won their places on merit.

"A lot of form players have been picked," said uncapped flanker Jason Forster. "Our backs are to the wall but we'll go and show what we can do.

"Why not start with Argentina and South Africa? I love that challenge."

Forster, 33, was delighted to finally get an international chance after years of consistent performances with Cross Keys, Swansea, Bridgend, Bedford, Newport and the Dragons.

We're ready for a lot of big scrummaging sessions in the next couple of weeks Dragons lock Peter Sidoli

"It's been a hell of a long road, but I always had faith in myself and have been performing week-in, week-out," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's nice to have a coach come in with confidence in you and who is prepared to pick on form.

"I know what Mike (Ruddock) wants and what he expects from us, he's uncompromising and expects the basics to be done very well."

Forster is one of six players selected from Ruddock's old team the Dragons, along with Michael Owen, Steve Jones, Nathan Brew, Hal Luscombe and Peter Sidoli.

His team mates have backed up Forster's hard talking, in a change from the mantra followed under the Steve Hansen regime when the squad continually insisted that they were on a learning curve.

"We have to go there and do a job," said Sidoli, brother of injured Wales lock Robert.

There's a good balance between senior players and youngsters Dragons three-quarter Nathan Brew

"The players we have are good enough to do just that, though we know how hard it is going to be.

"Argentina and South Africa have big, physical packs.

"Mike always starts with the forwards and the set piece, and we're ready for a lot of big scrummaging sessions in the next couple of weeks."

Dragons three-quarter Nathan Brew believes that the mix of old and new in the squad could be a formula for success.

"There's a good balance between senior players and youngsters," he said.

"We hope to work off each other and help one another develop."