Dragons confirm starting XV

The Dragons have made three changes from the side that narrowly lost to Leinster. Captain Kevin Morgan has fully recovered from his knee strain to take his place at fullback while the other changes are among the forwards.

Prop Rhys Thomas makes his first start for the region since October having recovered from his chest injury and came through The Dragons Magners League game against Leinster last weekend. The other change sees Joe Bearman replace the injured Colin Charvis in the back row.

Charvis will certainly be missed because he’s right up there with the best of them in the physical side of the game,” said Turner, who said the experienced international will not be out for long.

“Yet it gives other players an opportunity to come in and state their case, people like Joe Bearman who has been out for most of the season. He was highly rated before he came here, then he picked up an injury but he’s back fit now so hopefully Joe will take his chance.”

Clermont, currently second in the French Championship, have made eleven changes to the side that lost to third-place Toulouse last weekend. However, their under-strength side still has nine capped internationals, including France winger Aurelien Rougerie and former Italy captain Alessandro Troncon.

“We will be going into the game as underdogs but if we can defend as well as I know we can attack then anything is possible,” said Turner, who has already tasted victory against two French sides in this year’s competition. “The first twenty minutes will be crucial. We know we’ve got it all to do.”

Clermont Auvergne: Alexandre Péclier; Aurelien Rougerie (Capt), Grant Esterhuizen, Tony Marsh, Vilimoni Delasau; Brock James, Alessandro Troncon; Thomas Domingo, Brice Miguel, Davit Zirakashvili, David Barrier, Thibaut Privat, Michel Dieudé, Emmanuel Etien, Gonzalo Longo

Replacements: Mario Ledesma, Martin Scelzo, Jamie Cudmore, Elvis Vermeulen, Pierre Mignoni, Raphael Chanal, Anthony Floch


Dragons: Kevin Morgan (Capt); Gareth Wyatt, Paul Emerick, Nathan Brew, Aled Brew; Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper; Adam Black, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Joe Bearman, Jamie Ringer, Michael Owen

Replacements: Ben Daly, Jamie Corsi, Andrew Hall, Nic Fitisemanu, Alex Walker, Aled Thomas, Phil Dollman

Referee: David Pearson (England)