CLERMONT Auvergne's Kiwi coach Vern Cotter says his side will be on their guard and "wary" of the Newport Gwent Dragons' challenge this afternoon.

He told the Argus he is respectful of the Dragons and alert to their potential to cause a big upset.

Former farmer Cotter has an impressive rugby pedigree - the 45-year-old was named New Zealand coach of the year in 2004 after Bay of Plenty won the prestigious Ranfurly Shield for the first time.

His Bay of Plenty team pushed the 2005 British and Irish Lions all the way in their opening tour match and he was assistant coach at Super 14 side the Crusaders.

Cotter was headhunted by high-flying Clermont Auv-ergne who tempted him to France with a lucrative contract.

Talking about the Dragons, Cotter said: "We have looked at some of their games from the European Challenge Cup so far this season and they are a very efficient side who like to play an open, expansive game.

"From one to 15, they like to play the ball and they are led by great players like Colin Charvis and Michael Owen, who is very smart in the game, as well as Ian Gough and Kevin Morgan."

The Dragons' hopes suffered a major blow when their 2001 Lions and Wales star Charvis was ruled out by injury.

Cotter said: "They can attack from anywhere and we are very wary of their ability - they will be highly motivated.

"I think they're better than their position in the Magners League would suggest."

Clermont Auvergne are currently second to leaders Stade Francais in the tough French premier league, the Top 14.

They are smarting from last weekend's 24-7 away defeat to third placed Toulouse.

Cotter said: "We aim to rectify certain parts of our game where we were deficient."

He has not picked his first 15, but it is still a quality side containing classy winger and captain Aurelien Rougerie, and one of the players of the Six Nations, Italy's wily scrum-half Alessandro Troncon.

Clermont have a good track record in this competition. They won it in 1999 when they were called Montferrand. But they have also tasted defeat, losing out to the Harlequins 27-26 in the 2004 final.

Comparing Clermont Auvergne's results in the Top 14 with those of French sides faced by the Dragons in the Challenge Cup this season makes interesting reading.

The Dragons thrashed Bayonne 50-3 at home and 32-15 away, while Clermont smashed them at home by 61-24 but lost 24-13 away.

The Dragons overcame Brive at home by 39-17 while Cler-mont hammered them 44-3.

- The odds on the Dragons have shortened, with some bookies offering a price of 4-1. But Clermont Auvergne are red-hot favourites at around 7-1 on to win. Meanwhile, there is nothing to choose in the Heineken Cup semi-final between Llanelli Scarlets and Leicester with both sides on 10/11.