KINGSLEY Jones is well aware that a number of his Newport Gwent Dragons could be on the plane to New Zealand with Wales this summer – and he reckons there is no better way of impressing the national team selectors than by delivering another inspired European performance this weekend.

Dragons head coach Jones has named an unchanged side for the Welsh region’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against Montpellier at Altrad Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm BST), several of whom are in with a chance of making Warren Gatland’s squad for the three-Test series Down Under.

Jones’ Montpellier counterpart, Jake White, has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and recalls du Plessis brothers Bismarck and Jannie to his starting XV following the Top 14 victory at Stade Francais.

But Jones, who has stated he is open to the possibility of taking the top job at Rodney Parade following the departure of Lyn Jones, sees no reason why the Dragons can’t go one step further in the competition than they did last year.

“It’s a big challenge but the pressure is on Montpellier and we’ve got to go there with the belief that we can cause an upset,” he said.

“You don’t get to the semi-final of a European competition by accident and we’ve obviously done a few things right to get this far.

“We need to take on a very physically strong Montpellier team and try and play in a way that won’t suit them, if it’s possible."

He added: “The biggest thing for a group of youngsters is to try and play as a team.

“They want to impress. There are lots of lads who have a chance to go to New Zealand in the summer.

“The message is to make sure we impress the Welsh selectors by the Dragons winning games.

“If we win games then everyone will be rewarded."

Centre Jack Dixon returns from injury to take a place on the Dragons’ bench.