Montepellier’s Jake White
Newport Gwent Dragons produced a stunning upset when they crossed the River Severn to beat Aviva Premiership Gloucester at Kingsholm in the European Challenge Cup.
But that 23 / 21 quarterfinal triumph would pale if they were to beat star-studded Montpellier at the Altrad Stadium in the south of France on Saturday evening.
So what are their chances of reaching the final of Europe’s 2nd-tier tournament? Rugby Correspondent Andy Howell assesses the head-to-head contests and marks each opposing player in the respective starting line-ups out of 10 with the Montpellier players mentioned first.
15. Benjamin Fall 7 vs Carl Meyer 7
6-Times capped French international, Fall, is normally a wing and had stints at Bordeaux-Begles, Bayonne and Racing Metro before joining Montpellier.
Welsh-qualified South African Meyer has showed his potential since stepping up to professional level and is one to watch.
14. Timoci Nagusa 8 vs Hallam Amos 8
A tasty duel in store here with Fiji ace Nagusa, who had a stint with Ulster and is known for scoring spectacular tries, facing one of Wales’ brightest prospects in clever footballer Amos out wide. Sparks could fly with both capable of piercing defences!
13. Robert Ebersohn 6 vs Tyler Morgan 7
Like fellow youngster Amos, Morgan appeared in big games for Wales at the World Cup and has impressed since returning from the shoulder injury he suffered against the Springboks in the quarterfinals.
Up against another South African in former Cheetahs Super Rugby centre Robert Ebersohn.
12. Frans Steyn 8 vs Adam Warren 6
The big-kicking Steyn, a World Cup winner with South Africa in 2007, has bags of experience and ability.
Can also play fullback or flyhalf but is at inside centre and Warren will have to be switched on to keep him in check.
11. Marvin O’Connor 7 vs Adam Hughes 6
French born but of Australian descent, O’Connor is only 5ft 9in but packs a punch and knows how to finish.
The danger he poses will have to be snuffed out by Dragons’ qualified pilot, who is again picked out of position at right wing.
10. Demetri Catrakilis 7 vs Dorian Jones 6
Dorian Jones continues to show promise at flyhalf and faces an interesting test against Johannesburg-born Catrakilis, who is nicknamed ‘The Greek God’ because of his Cypriot origins and was South Africa’s top points-scorer in last year’s Super Rugby with 170 for the DHL Stormers.
9. Benoit Paillaugue 7 vs Sarel Pretorius 8
Paillaugue is one of those French players who can rotate between scrumhalf and flyhalf. He wears No 9 against the Dragons, who need dangerous sniper Pretorius to be firing on all cylinders, and has been racking up the points with his goal-kicking.
1. Mikheil Nariashvili 8 vs Brok Harris 7
Dragons’ former Stormers tighthead prop, Brok Harris could have his work cut out against another scrummaging product to come out of Georgia.
Nariashvili is only 25 but has been capped 36 times by his country and has already racked up 99 appearances for Montpellier.
2. Bismarck du Plessis 9 vs Elliot Dee 7
“Sink the Bismarck!” That’s been the message from Dragons camp but it’s easier said than done because the South Africa’s enforcer is one of the best hookers in the world, being almost unmoveable at the breakdown, is a quick and a powerful ball-carrier with an ability to off-load in contact.
If Dee can nullify him, it would do his Wales prospects no harm.
3. Jannie du Plessis 8 vs Phil Price 6
The elder brother of Bismarck, the prop from Bethlehem is another World Cup winner in Montellier’s ranks and is also a qualified doctor.
Joined from Super Rugby outfit, the Cell C Sharks and will be looking to douse the hopes of the Dragons by devouring their suspect scrum.
4. Robins Tchale Watchou 7 vs Rynard Landman 7
Former Cheetahs lock Landman has to be at his best if the Dragons are to have a chance.
He faces Cameroon international ‘Bulldoz’, who is a former basketball player who was persuaded to switch to rugby at 16. Played for Perpignan in the Top 14 final following a stint at Stade Francais.
5. Paul Willemse 7 vs Nick Crosswell 6
Namibia Under 18 squad, a World Cup winner with South Africa at Under 20 level, Super Rugby with the Bulls and French Top 14 with Grenoble and Montpellier, Willemse has packed much in to his rugby career despite being only 23.
New Zealander Crosswell had stints with Hurricanes, Highlanders and Chiefs before heading north.
6. Fulgence Ouedraogo 8 vs Lewis Evans 7
Burkina Faso born Ouedraogo has been capped 39 times by France. The flanker has been superb this season with his athleticism and craft and Dragons’ stalwart Evans will have to be performing at his best in the battle of the captains at the plush Altrad Stadium.
7. Akapusi Qera 8 vs Nic Cudd 7
Former Fiji captain Qera was at the forefront of the effort which saw them put Wales out of the 2007 World Cup in a huge upset and was a popular figure at Gloucester before heading to France.
Cudd is another who puts his body on the line and will need to again if Dragons are to keep Montpellier in check.
8. Pierre Spies 8 vs Taulupe Faletau 9
Spies was at No 8 for South Africa when they downed the 2009 Lions but didn’t become the superstar many predicted at the highest level.
He’s up against one of the best in the world game in Wales and Lions ace Faletau, who was immense for the Dragons at Gloucester in the quarterfinals.
walesonline
Rugby-Talk.com view:
While the ratings and actual numbers given to the players is fairly subjective and possibly open to question, this article just highlights the vast amount of influence that South African rugby will have on today’s semifinal in the 2nd-tier of European Rugby.
If you add in a player like Wiaan Liebenberg, who is on the bench for Montpellier you have almost a whole team of 15 South African players from a combination of players in both starting 15s with only 1 flanker and 2 winger positions not filled. If 1 could fill those additional spots then this would be quite a good team, especially if you throw in the expertise of Montpellier coach Jake White.
Possible SA team from these players:
Team: 15 Carl Meyer, 13 Rob Ebersohn, 12 Frans Steyn, 10 Demetri Catrakillis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Rynard ‘Ligtoring’ Landman, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Brok Harris
Coach: Jake White