Toulouse v Dragons, Heineken Cup, January 15
Toulouse eye vital five-pointer
ESPNscrum Staff
January 14, 2011
Toulouse's Yannick Jauzion hurdles a tackle, Newport Gwent Dragons v Toulouse, Heineken Cup, Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales, October 16, 2010
Yannick Jauzion hurdles a tackle against the Dragons back in October © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup
Teams: Dragons | France | Toulouse | Wales

Reigning Heineken Cup champions Toulouse will be eyeing all five points against the Dragons this weekend as they battle Wasps for top spot in Pool 6.

The French giants picked up a 40-19 win over the Welsh region back in October but failed to notch four tries, with Wasps now two points behind them at the top of the pile.

The Dragons, who have never won in France, have managed only one point so far in this campaign and will need to be on their guard against a Toulouse backlash following their surprise 31-3 hammering at the hands of Stade Francais last weekend.

Toulouse - Player to Watch: Fly-half David Skrela bagged a 19-point haul at Rodney Parade back in October and will no doubt be a key figure again.

Toulouse - Team News The hosts ring the changes in the wake of their loss to Stade Francais with Maxime Medard back in the No.15 shirt. Clement Poitrenaud switches to inside centre alongside Yannick Jauzion, while Skrela returns to fly-half where he will partner Nicolas Vergallo. Jean-Baptiste Poux and Cencus Johnston are named at loose-head and tight-head respectively, while Gregory Lamboley and Patricio Albacete are reunited in the second row. The back-row trio Jean Bouilhou, Thierry Dusautoir and Louis Picamoles complete the changes.

Dragons - Player to Watch: Winger Nathan Brew played for Newport in the Welsh Premiership and faces a step up in class against arguably European club rugby's No.1 side.

Dragons - Team News: Brew returns to the Dragons line-up on the right wing, while Dan Lydiate has shaken off neck/shoulder and knee problems to fill the blindside berth. Scrum-half Wayne Evans is also back after shaking off a calf injury and Luke Charteris returns to the second row.

Key Battle: The Toulouse back division is packed with game-breaking international talent, with the Dragons' feint hopes resting on their ability to deny them the ball and shackle them when they crank through the gears.

Trivia: Three Toulouse players have scored four tries in a game against Welsh opposition: Michael Marfaing against Ebbw Vale in 1998-99, Vincent Clerc against the Scarlets in 2005-06 and Clement Poitrenaud against the same opposition the following season.

Stats: The Dragons have won only one game in each of their last four Heineken Cup campaigns.

Quote Unquote:

"I know we will not win every game until the end of the season but this poor performance does not reflect the good work we have been done in the past. And it is the performance that bothers me most - not the result." - Toulouse boss Guy Noves reflects on his side's recent mauling by Stade Francais.

"Everyone's written us off on Saturday, but it does put us in a great position where we can go over there, play some good rugby and hopefully give them a scare." - Dragons centre Ashley Smith talks up his side's chances.

Prediction: Expect the power of Toulouse to tell once again with the Dragons set to be swept aside in style.

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