Dragons look to represent Wales in European Challenge Cup semi-final
The Dragons rugby team are preparing to represent Wales in Europe as they travel to face Montpellier in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Sunday at 12:30 BST. Coached by Filo Tiatia, the Dragons are the only Welsh side remaining in either of the two European tournaments and are aiming to reach their first semi-final in a decade.
"I've heard a lot of fans from Ospreys, Cardiff and Scarlets are wishing the Dragons all the best,"said Tiatia.
"It's great being a team from Wales in the semi-finals, there's a lot of talent not just here but with all the four regions."
Dragons co-captain and Wales lock Ben Carter expressed the team's sense of responsibility representing Wales on the European stage.
"I've spoken to a few people that have wished us well from outside that Dragons circle,"Carter said.
"We are looking forward to going out there and sort of showing what we can do."
Dragons' semi-final dedicated to Gwent and Wales
The Dragons secured their place in the semi-final by defeating Zebre, setting up the clash with Montpellier. Historically, only Cardiff (three times), Pontypridd, and Caerphilly have reached European finals among Welsh teams in the past 30 years.
The Dragons have previously reached three Challenge Cup semi-finals, suffering defeats to Clermont in 2007 and Edinburgh in 2015. Their last semi-final appearance was in 2016, when they lost 22-12 to Montpellier, who went on to win the tournament that year and repeated the feat five years later.
Hooker Elliot Dee and full-back Angus O'Brien are the only players from the 2016 squad involved in this weekend's match.
"There's new experiences for everyone and we're excited about the possibility of earning another week in this tournament,"Tiatia said.
"It's a special occasion and there's a few players in our squad that haven't been in semi-finals."
Carter emphasized the need for the Dragons to deliver their best performance of the season to reach the final in Bilbao on 22 May.
"We need turn up with the right mindset because everyone in the squad genuinely believes we can go out there and get a result,"Carter said.
"That would be brilliant and the furthest I've ever gone in a competition, so that's the aim."
Montpellier strong favourites but Dragons ready for challenge
Montpellier enter the match as strong favourites, currently sitting third in France's Top 14 league and having recently secured an away victory against Champions Cup holders Bordeaux-Begles.
"They're going well,"Tiatia noted.
"They've got a very good mauling forward pack, and they love to get in at 22, and are very direct.
They've also got backs that can strike from anywhere.
We understand the challenge ahead of us. We will be playing on their home turf, going to their town, playing in front of their crowd and they're going to be screaming and telling us we are not going to get over the line.
We're up for a challenge, trying to impose our game and come Sunday have a scrap."
Team line-ups and key player matchups
The Dragons have named wing David Richards in their starting side, with Elliot Dee preferred over Brodie Coghlan at hooker. Montpellier's squad includes Wales lock Adam Beard, but former England number eight Billy Vunipola is not involved.
A notable aspect of the match is the contest between Welsh rivals Carter and Beard. Carter replaced Beard in Steve Tandy's starting side during the Six Nations.
Carter downplayed any personal rivalry, stating:
"It's Dragons against Montpellier. Nothing else."
Montpellier starting XV:
Banks; Taofifenua, Cadot, Anyanwu, Rates; Vincent, Bernadet; Erdocio, Riccitelli, Welsch, Beard, DuGuid, Tauleigne, Becognee, Nouchi (capt).
Replacements: Akrab, Abuladze, Haouas, Y Camara, Masibaka, Baraer, Miotti, Darmon.
Dragons starting XV:
O'Brien (co-captain); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; de Beer, Armstrong; Martinez, Dee, Coleman, Douglas, Carter (co-captain), Woodman, Young, Wainwright.
Replacements: Coghlan, W Jones, D Lewis, S Davies, Keddie, M Lloyd, Paea, Anderson.
Match officials:
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Filippo Russo (Italy)
