NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will be without Taulupe Faletau and a host of key performers when they take on Castres Olympique this afternoon but director of rugby Lyn Jones is certain his side can cope without their star men.

Faletau, Brok Harris and Lewis Evans all failed late fitness tests ahead of the European Rugby Challenge Cup pool match at Stade Pierre Antoine (kick-off 4pm GMT).

They join long-term absentees Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Andrew Coombs, Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach and James Thomas on the sidelines.

But Jones says his team does not rely on individuals.

“We have lots of individual talented players, lots of which are currently injured long term, and it’s our philosophy to create a team here so that the team is more important that the individual,” he said.

“Lots of teams tend to rely on individuals to carry them but we can’t afford that.

“We have a system in attack and defence that we are comfortable within and understand to win games of rugby and play to our maximum potential.”

The Dragons are aiming to build on a superb bonus-point win over Sale Sharks in their opening European tie at Rodney Parade last Sunday.

“We’re very pleased with the way we played against Sale,” said Jones.

“We’ve played a lot of attractive and positive rugby throughout the season but we just haven’t been doing it at the same time and on the same day.

“So it was good last Sunday that we went out and played without any fear and with a lot of ambition.

“We rounded things off and became a complete side.

“We tend to start the season a little later than normal but normal service has resumed.”

Jones makes three changes as they travel to southern France.

In the front row Phil Price replaces Boris Stankovich, who drops to the bench.

The second row also has one change as Matthew Screech moves from the bench in place of Cory Hill.

And the back row sees the inclusion of flanker Nick Crosswell, who replaces Lewis Evans after he sustained a calf injury against Sale.

There are four changes on the bench as Stankovich, Hill, Lloyd Faribrother and Nic Cudd join Rhys Buckley, Charlie Davies, Jason Tovey and Ross Wardle amongst the replacements.

Castres have had an extra week to prepare after their tie against Pau was postponed last week following the Paris terror attacks.

Last time out they ended a three-match losing run with a 34-8 triumph over Racing-Metro.

Dragons team: Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Nick Scott, Dorian Jones, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Shaun Knight, Matthew Screech, Rynard Landman, Nick Crosswell, Ollie Griffiths, Ed Jackson.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Boris Stankovich, Lloyd Fairbrother, Cory Hill, Nic Cudd, Charlie Davies, Jason Tovey, Ross Wardle.