NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have been told to try and run Montpellier's meaty pack off their feet in Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final in France.

The Dragons headed into the quarter-final clash at Gloucester as underdogs but after upsetting the odds at Kingsholm will have to record an even bigger giant-killing at the Altrad Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm BST).

Montpellier are chasing silverware on two fronts; they are the favourites to lift the Challenge Cup in Lyon and are also second in the Top 14 thanks to a streak of eight league victories.

They boast a star-studded squad featuring, amongst others, South Africans Bismarck du Plessis, Pierre Spies and Frans Steyn, France aces Francois Trinh-Duc, Nicolas Mas, Julien Malzieu and Fulgence Ouedraogo, Australia's Jesse Mogg and Fiji back rower Akapusi Qera.

However, the Dragons can take some comfort from Cardiff Blues' two encounters with the French side in the pool stages, winning 37-27 at the Arms Park and denied 23-22 by a last-gasp converted try in the return fixture.

"We beat them at home with a bonus point, scoring five tries, and we played at a very high tempo because they are a huge and powerful side," said Blues head coach Danny Wilson, who was forwards coach at Rodney Parade between 2010 and 2012.

"That's an important tactic. When we went away we played on a softer pitch and the weather wasn't quite as good and that got us into a dogfight but we stayed in that dogfight until the last kick of the game.

"They were two tight encounters and they are a massive team, very powerful, very dogged at the breakdown and therefore very difficult to deal with but the Dragons went to Gloucester and won.

"It will be tough and a big challenge but an exciting one. If the Dragons play in the manner that they did in Gloucester then they could be in with a chance."

Former Scotland and Lions fly-half Gregor Townsend spent a season at Montpellier and the Glasgow boss believes the Dragons have the ability to cause his old side problems.

"In the Challenge Cup last season and this season the Dragons have produced some great results away from home and almost beat Ulster away in the Pro12," said the Warriors boss on a Sky Sports rugby podcast.

"They are in your face and are a tough team to break down with strong tacklers and an excellent openside (Nic Cudd) who can get turnovers and some really young and exciting backs.

"Maybe they go to Montpellier and surprise that huge pack that Montpellier have and move them around with the likes of (Taulupe) Faletau getting involved in open spaces and pull off a shock, and this would be a shock if you look at the squad that Jake White has assembled at Montpellier."

White, who coached the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007, has spent plenty of Euros on foreign talent to turn Montpellier into contenders by using a familiar blueprint, according to Townsend.

"It's a very structured approach to the game, he showed that with the Brumbies in particular and then with the Sharks," said the Scot.

"All their players know their roles and what to do in certain areas of the pitch. A lot of them are used to that way of playing, especially the South African players, with a game based on strong set piece, strong defence, looking after the ball and a strong kicking game.

"When you've got guys like the du Plessis brothers at scrum time, tackling and challenging the ball post-tackle, then you are going to find it tough to break down a team with that size and ability.

"It seems to have worked because over the last two or three months they've pulled off some excellent results."