Son of Tonga international Kili Faletau, the 20-year-old missed the chance to make his bow in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations through an ankle injury, but has recovered to become the Dragons’ standout performer in the wins over the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues in April

Those performances haven’t gone unnoticed and Wales coach Warren Gatland dropped a strong hint that Faletau will be in contention for a starting place against the Baa Baas – which the WRU have declared will be a full Test.

“We have four or five players not available for the Barbarians game with injuries, but there are some youngsters playing really well at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve looked at that and the stand out player I’ve seen in the last couple of weeks is Toby Faletau.

“The last two games I’ve watched at Rodney Parade against the Ospreys and the Blues I thought he really came into his own.”

Meanwhile, Gatland admitted he was keen to remove the shackles on his side and hit back at those who have labelled them conservative after scoring only six tries – the joint lowest with Italy and Scotland – in the Six Nations.

“I know we have been criticised for being conservative, but that’s definitely not the way we like to play and like to coach.

“I can tell you now we encourage the players to go out there and play, to make the right decision, to play heads up rugby.

“The message will be that, if you think the opportunity is on to run the ball from behind your own goal line, because there is a three man overlap, then go for it.

“For the Barbarians game in particular we want to go out there and play some rugby - be smart and take some risks.”