Don't have boots - but will travel
Dragons in trouble as stars flee
Cardiff Blues fly-half Nick Macleod has linked up with the Wales squad in Argentina after answered an SOS from Wales coach Gareth Jenkins – a call that cut short the 23-year-old's romantic holiday in France.
Macleod, who is an 11th-hour replacement for the injured Hal Luscombe, was soaking up the atmosphere in Bordeaux with his girlfriend, Hayley, when he received his summons.
"Obviously I didn't take my boots away with me on holiday as that would have been a little over-keen, even for me," Macleod told the Western Mail on arrival in Puerto Madryn ahead of Sunday's encounter with the Pumas.
"I flew straight to Buenos Aires, via Madrid, after cutting the holiday short, so the only stuff I have in my suitcase is the kind of clothes you'd pack away for a week in Bordeaux.
"Obviously I've picked up the team kit provided by the national squad, but boots are a personal thing so I've had to hit the shops in Argentina to pick up a pair like the ones I use at home.
"It's a good rugby country so there was no problem finding a similar style and brand."
Macleod is covering the fullback and midfield positions in the young squad and he is vying for a Test place with the likes of Nicky Robinson, James Hook and Lee Byrne.
"I'm not expecting to be anywhere near the starting line-up, but if you'd asked me this time last week would I expect to be in South America representing my country I would have said 'no way'," he said.
"I'm just going to enjoy the experience and work hard and see what happens.
"There's never any hesitation in your thoughts when you're offered the chance of maybe pulling on that red shirt – you grab it with two hands.
"I'm significantly closer to getting a cap for Wales which is a dream come true."
Luscombe was forced out of Wales tour to Argentina with a rib injury that he sustained in Friday's Heineken Cup play-off defeat of the Dragons by Overmach Parma.
The Dragons' shock loss to the Italians has lead to a mass exodus of players lead by the likes of Luscombe, Jason Forster and Jon Bryant who have chosen to pursue their careers elsewhere.
Luscombe, Forster and Bryant have joined Harlequins, Doncaster and Sale respectively, with Richard Bryan moving to Leeds, Ben Breeze linking up with Exeter and Sione Tuipulotu heading for Japan.
With financial resources strictly limited, Dragons coach Paul Turner has had to dip into the lower leagues of English rugby to plug the gaps in his squad for next season.
Wing Matt Jess and flank Joe Bearman join from the Cornish Pirates, with Samoan loose forward Nic Fitisemanu arriving from Nottingham.
In addition, Aussie hooker Ben Daly has been signed from Italian club Viadana, with Kiwi centre Shane Stewart switching from Ulster.
But the good news for Dragons supporters is that Aled Brew is joining on a season-long loan from the Ospreys, with fellow wing Gareth Chapman will join from the Newport club side.
