Montpellier v Dragons: European Challenge Cup semi-final preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 23/04/16 6:12pm
Newport Gwent Dragons hope Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final against Montpellier will be a case of third time lucky.
The Dragons have lost both of their previous last-four fixtures in the competition, conceding over 45 points on each occasion.
They face a stern test at the Altrad Stadium against the Top 14 heavyweights, who are targeting a domestic and European double, and the departure of Lyn Jones as director of rugby will not have helped the Welsh region's preparations.
Throw in the Dragons' struggles in the PRO12, where they sit third-bottom after 16 defeats in 20 games, and their chances in the south of France appear bleak, but hooker Elliot Dee says the squad are in confident mood after their fantastic quarter-final win over Gloucester on April 9.
"I can't wait, it's a massive game for us," said the 22-year-old. "We got to the semi-final last year and we want to go one further again.
"I think we play exciting stuff in Europe and it was a massive buzz after the Gloucester game, and that's what you play rugby for, you can't beat days like that.
"It's brilliant to be involved in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and a lot of people will be watching. The better standard of rugby you play, the better player you become."
The Dragons have kept faith with the team that recorded the 23-21 victory at Kingsholm. Dorian Jones continues at fly-half, partnering scrum-half Sarel Pretorious, with Wales international Taulupe Faletau at No 8.
Charlie Davies, who came off the bench to score the Dragons' crucial late try against Gloucester, is again named among the replacements.
Montpellier are appearing in the Challenge Cup semi-finals for the first time and head coach Jake White makes five changes to the team that won at Stade Francais last Sunday.
Benoit Paillaugue, who came off the bench to score a late try at Stade Jean-Bouin, is promoted to the starting line-up and partners Demetri Catrakilis at half-back.
Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis and brother Jannie return to the front row, two of seven South Africans named in the starting XV.
Montpellier: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Marvin O'Connor, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Benoit Paillaugue; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 4 Robins Tchale Watchou, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo (c), 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Pierre Spies.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Davit Kubriashvili, 19 Thibaut Privat, 20 Wiaan Liebenberg, 21 Nic White, 22 Benjamin Lucas, 23 Anthony Tuitavake.
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Carl Meyer, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Sarel Pretorius; 1 Phil Price, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Rynard Landman, 5 Nick Crosswell, 6 Lewis Evans (c), 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Ed Jackson, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Angus O'Brien, 23 Jack Dixon.
Watch Montpellier v Dragons live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 5.25pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.