Bath face a short trip over the Severn Bridge to face Anglo-Welsh rivals Newport Gwent Dragons The high-flying Guinness Premiership side have performed admirably on their return to the Heineken Cup.

Sean Meehan’s men languish just two points behind Toulouse on 15 in Pool Five ahead of the tie at Rodney Parade. But the Dragons will provide stubborn resistance and have already beaten Glasgow on home soil this season.

Coach Paul Turner Commented: – “We were pleased with the performance up in Glasgow and glad to have come away with a win. However this is a different competition and one in which all teams raise their game for. This is especially the case for Bath as they can still progress. I think we surprised a few people with our performance against them at their ground in October and we will be looking to get a win in front of our home support.

Bath play some attractive rugby and are currently doing well in the Premiership so once again it will be a good test of our progress this season”.

With Tom Willis on the bench Luke Charteris – who lives in Bath having also been to University there – will captain the team. He commented;-

“Heineken Cup matches are always great fixtures to play in. The team will be looking to carry on where we left off in Glasgow. Our match against Bath in October was intense and few thought we would come away with a bonus point. That match was about defence, but we will be looking to attack more in this game and with Bath also playing an attractive style of rugby, it should be a great game to play in and also watch.”

Richard Fussell who has put in a string of strong performances in recent weeks is equally looking forward to the match.

“Its promises to be an exciting game with large amount of support expected from both sets of supporters. As a player these matches are the ones you want to participate in and are ones you can only gain from. Hopefully we can put in a big performance which will help us kick on in the League.”

Dragons Squad: Jason Tovey, Phil Dollman, Tal Selly, Gareth Wyatt, Richard Fussell, Gareth Maule, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, James Arlidge, Wayne Evans, Robert Lewis, Adam Black, Steve Jones, Tom Willis, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Robinson, Adam Jones, Hoani MacDonald, Luke Charteris, Colin Charvis, Grant Webb, Jamie Ringer, Lewis Evans, Dan Lydiate, Andy Hall.