MOUTH-WATERING games like the one in Montpellier today should not be one-off occasions for Newport Gwent Dragons, according to star winger Hallam Amos.

The Dragons are a win away from reaching the final of the European Challenge Cup, but standing in their way at Altrad Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm BST) is a side jam-packed with international stars.

While Amos concedes this evening’s semi-final is a “David and Goliath” encounter, he reckons it is the kind of fixture that the Dragons have to aspire to play on a more regular basis.

“It will be a great place to go and play and they’ve got a wealth of experience across the board with hundreds of international caps in every position, whereas we’ve got Toby (Faletau) and a small smattering elsewhere with the likes of Tyler (Morgan) and me,” he said.

“You want to play against the best and you can’t really claim to be anywhere in the game unless you play the best, and that’s definitely what this weekend will bring, and hopefully we can all give a good account of ourselves.

“Looking at their back three, they are real world-class players and household names, and that’s why you play the game.

“We want to be playing these teams regularly. We want to be in the Champions Cup and the best Welsh region.

“It hasn’t happened this year but moving forward that’s where we see ourselves, and we’re definitely confident we can get there.

“We’re under no illusions that this weekend is not going to be a hell of a challenge, like the Gloucester game, but we go in with confidence.

“We go in thinking we’re going to win and hopefully we can come away with that result.”

After a frustrating Six Nations with Wales, Amos has really hit his straps in a Dragons team which has suffered a hugely disappointing run of results in the Guinness Pro12.

Selection for the summer tour of New Zealand looks likely for the 21-year-old, who sees good times ahead for his region.

“Maybe we don’t have the strength in depth of other teams, but I look at the starting 15 or 23 and on paper we’re a really strong side,” he added. “We’ve got class across the team.

“Obviously we’re losing a talismanic player in Toby (Faletau) but Ed Jackson is a great player who can slot in quite comfortably and I’m sure he will stand up as well.

“There is a lot of potential there but we need to start realising it as well.”