The Dragons starting XV were those that stunned Gloucester in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup just a few weeks ago.
Once again the back three includes fullback Carl Meyer alongside wingers Adam Hughes and Hallam Amos. The centre partnership sees Adam Warren and Tyler Morgan named. Fly-half Dorian Jones gets the nod alongside South African scrum-half Sarel Pretorius.
The front row includes props Phil Price and Brok Harris; Elliot Dee is named at hooker. The second row remains unchanged as Rynard Landman and Nick Crosswell retain their places. The back row includes skipper Lewis Evans and flanker Nic Cudd alongside number eight Taulupe Faletau.
There is one change made to the replacements bench as Jack Dixon returns to the Dragons set-up following his recovery from a kidney injury. After undergoing six-months of rehabilitation the centre recently had game time for Principality Premiership side Bedwas. Dixon is named alongside fellow substitutions Rhys Buckley, Boris Stankovich, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ed Jackson, Charlie Davies and Angus O’Brien.
Looking forward to the game in France, young hooker Elliot Dee commented: “I cant wait. It’s a massive game for us. We got to the semi-final last year and we want to go one further again.”
He continued: “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.”
Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Montpellier
Carl Meyer, Adam Hughes, Tyler Morgan, Adam Warren, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, Rynard Landman, Nick Crosswell, Lewis Evans ©, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Boris Stankovich, Lloyd Fairbrother, Matthew Screech, Ed Jackson, Charlie Davies, Angus O’Brien, Jack Dixon.
