FORMER Rodney Parade hero Dan Lydiate believes Newport Gwent Dragons have what it takes to upset the odds and beat Montpellier in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup this weekend.

Wales flanker Lydiate is well aware of the power Jake White’s French Top 14 title chasers possess, but he insists the Dragons can come out on top at Altrad Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm BST).

However, Lydiate says the Dragons will face a very different Montpellier side to the one he came up against during his brief spell in France with Racing 92.

Since taking over in December 2014, a few months after Lydiate returned to Wales, South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach White has flooded the Montpellier squad with overseas players.

They may boast a number of Springboks, New Zealanders, Australians, Fijians and Georgians, but Lydiate reckons anything is possible in knockout rugby.

Asked if the Welsh region have any chance of making the final, Lydiate said: “If they play with no fear, which they’ve done in the competition, then why not. It will be a hell of an achievement if they do.

“It’s knockout rugby, there’s nothing to lose, they’ve just got to go out and play.

“A lot of the Dragons players will be rubbing their hands together because they want to get stuck into them.

“There’s a massive prize at the end of it, and they’re in the last four, so there is a big chance for them.

“As long as everyone goes out there and gives 100 per cent then they are going to be in with a shout.

“Sometimes no-one really gives them a chance. Going to Gloucester, not many people would have bet on them winning, so there will be no fear for them in Montpellier.”

As to how the Dragons go about toppling White’s men in the south of France, Lydiate added: “There’s a massive South African influence there with Jake White bringing in a lot of internationals. They are a big, physical side with some great players.

“The Dragons have got to try and not give away any cheap penalties.

“Montpellier rely on the set-piece and their physicality, but the Dragons have been strong in the set-piece this year.

“If their set-piece is strong again then they’ve got a couple of elusive backs who can do some damage.

“If they can nick a couple of tries, like they did up in Kingsholm, and get a couple of penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over then it’s anybody’s game.

“The likes of Nic Cudd and Lewis Evans are seasoned pros, and you’ve got someone like Rynard Landman, who is a real stalwart of the side.

“You’ve also got the up and coming players so there is a real blend to the side.

“Toby (Faletau) always puts in man-of-the-match performances for the Dragons and he is certainly a man Montpellier will be looking to keep an eye on.”

Rodney Parade is “like a second home” for Lydiate and the backing of the Dragons’ fans is something that will also be important on the day.

“You could see how much the travelling support meant to them at Gloucester,” he said.

“You always have good support at Rodney Parade and it was good to see how many had travelled over to the Shed.

“I’m sure they will have a massive travelling support heading over to Montpellier and it’s important that everyone gets behind them.”

*Dan Lydiate has become an ambassador for the UK’s leading lager and cider producer Heineken as part of a new deal between the Welsh Rugby Union, Brains and Heineken which will run until 2018. The deal also sees Lydiate’s Ospreys and Wales teammate, and fellow national dual contract player, Alun Wyn Jones, signed up to a similar ambassadorial role with Welsh brewer and hospitality retailer Brains.