European Challenge Cup: Perpignan v Dragons
Venue: Stade Aime Giral Date: Sunday, 7 December Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Coverage: Live score updates on the BBC website and app
Dragons are set to be without tight-head prop Chris Coleman for their festive derbies after he injured his right hamstring playing for Wales.
The 27-year-old suffered the injury at a scrum when winning his second cap as a replacement against South Africa at Principality Stadium last weekend.
Coleman has seen specialists, and the timeline for recovery has yet to be established, although the front-rower is certain to miss the start of the Challenge Cup and looks likely to be out until the new year.
“He has had a scan and it looks pretty positive, but he needs another consultancy catch-up and we will see where he is at and a projection of how long he will be out,” said head coach Filo Tiatia.
- Can regions lift Wales with European success?
- Arms Park to host Welsh Celtic Challenge derby
- Wales can be team to avoid at World Cup – Tandy
Dragons are already without Wales tight-head Dillon Lewis, who suffered a calf injury on his fourth appearance since signing from Harlequins.
The 29-year-old is out of the European games against Perpignan and Lyon, plus the United Rugby Championship (URC) games against Connacht, Cardiff and Scarlets.
South African Rob Hunt is the leading option for the number three jersey, backed up by Luke Yendle, whose last professional appearance was 14 months ago because of a knee injury, and 20-year-old Owain James.
Dragons kick off their Challenge Cup campaign on Sunday at French Top 14 strugglers Perpignan.
Lock and captain Ben Carter, hooker Brodie Coghlan and wing Rio Dyer are back after featuring against the Springboks, but number eight Aaron Wainwright has been given the weekend off.
Dragons are also assessing Seb Davies’ ankle injury, which he suffered against Leinster last weekend, but the lock or blind-side flanker faces a spell on the sidelines.
URC apologised after mistake – Tiatia
Dragons head into the Challenge Cup without a win in the URC, but they did produce a spirited performance in a 24-10 defeat to champions Leinster last week that could have earned a third draw.
They were within seven points in the closing stages when lock Levi Douglas was hit by a high Scott Penny tackle as he charged at the line.
South African referee Morne Ferreira reviewed the footage and deemed the Leinster flanker was in a legal position and head contact with the falling Douglas was not because of foul play.
Dragons were incensed and, according to Tiatia, this week the URC’s head of officials admitted that Penny, who was yellow-carded in the first half, should have been penalised.
“We heard back from Tappe Henning and received an apology. They got it wrong, but it’s been a challenging moment for the referees in the middle,” said Tiatia.
“We are still working through what the game looks like in terms of head collisions, but the first thing we speak about is player safety. That has to be at the front of the mind, but we have moved on.”
