BERNARD Jackman will return to France for his first match in charge of the Dragons, with the Rodney Parade outfit facing former European foes Montpellier in the Vaquerin Challenge tournament.

Jackman’s men face the Top 14 giants in the annual pre-season event on Friday, August 11, just 24 hours before another Dragons XV meet Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

A testing friendly schedule for the Welsh region also features a trip to Sandy Park on Saturday, August 19 for a clash with Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs.

The match against Montpellier, conquerors of the Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-finals two seasons ago, sees Jackman go back to France five months after he vacated the Grenoble hot seat.

A training camp in the south of the country will precede the Men of Gwent’s opening pre-season encounter in Aveyron (kick-off 8pm).

The Dragons are the first Welsh side to take part in the summer tournament, won in the past by the likes of Leicester Tigers and Glasgow Warrior.

Around 14 players are set to fly back to the UK on the morning of the game to join other squad members for the Northampton fixture.

Commenting on his first pre-season at the helm, head coach Jackman said: “It’s a huge challenge for us and a very tough start against Montpellier, especially as they will be only a week out from the start of the Top 14.

“They have recruited incredibly well over the past couple of years, as well as bringing in a new coach in Vern Cotter, and they will be looking to get the season off to a flying start.

“We will take a large squad to France for the week to benefit from the camp, but we will send a group of around 14 back on the Friday morning to meet up with some players, who remained in Gwent, to play Northampton on the Saturday.

“This is a great opportunity for us to have a look at more players than we normally would in a full weekend of rugby.”

He continued: “It will be good for us and we will test ourselves.

“The results won’t be massively important, it’s about pre-season and combinations, and players getting an opportunity to put their hand up to make their first competitive start of the season when the Guinness PRO12 kicks off.”