MONTPELLIER have a lengthy list of absentees for tomorrow's pre-season encounter with the Dragons – but the Top 14 big guns still field a formidable side.

While Bernard Jackman’s men are set for their first action of the summer in Aveyron (kick-off 7pm), their French opponents blew away some cobwebs against Lyon last weekend.

They lost 40-12 and head coach Vern Cotter will be looking to step things up ahead of their Top 14 opener against Agen on Saturday, August 26.

The former Scotland boss is able to field a strong side despite having a sizeable list of absentees that includes high-profile summer recruit Aaron Cruden.

The All Black and Springbok Jan Serfontein have not yet arrived in France while also missing are powerhouse number eight Louis Picamoles following his move from Northampton, wings Nemani Nadolo and Benjamin Fall, Aussie full-back Jesse Mogg, France centre Alexandre Dumoulin and Les Bleus flanker Yacouba Camara.

Nonetheless, they boast the likes of Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Steyn, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Joe Tomane in their XV with former Ulster favourite, an ex-South Africa half-back, Ruan Pienaar on the bench.

Hooker du Plessis scored a try in Montpellier’s 22-12 European Challenge Cup semi-final win against the Dragons in 2016.

The Dragons are yet to release their line-up but headed to France with a 40-strong squad for a week-long training camp that culminates with tomorrow's friendly.

Back row forward Lewis Evans, last season’s captain, travelled but is not fit for selection because of a calf problem while the South African pair of Brok Harris and Zane Kirchner remained in Wales and will feature against Northampton on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Jackman included promising Wales Under-20s full-back Will Talbot-Davies along with a trio of bright prospects yet to make their regional debuts – wings Jared Rosser and George Gasson plus lock/blindside Max Williams.

He has promised to ensure both of his weekend teams are a mixture of youth and experience with a number of his senior players among those returning to the UK today so that they can feature at Franklin’s Gardens.

Montpellier: J Michel, J Tomane, Y Reilhac, H Immelman, G Ngandebe, F Steyn, B Paillaugue, G Fichten, B Du Plessis, A Guillamon, P Willemse, N Van Rensberg, F Ouedraogo (captain), W Liebenberg, M Devergie. Replacements: C Geli, Y Watremez, K Mikautadze, K Kornath, R Pienaar, T Darmon, M Haouas, M Nariashvili, J Delannoy, G Galletier

Dragons: TBA