Newport Gwent Drag-ons face a host of South African rugby stars when they take on the Investec Stormers in the 'Duel in the Desert' in Dubai today.

The Stormers, lying third in the top Southern Hemisphere Super 12 competition and the leading South African team, field the Springbok centre partnership of De Wet Barry, who leads the side, and Marius Joubert.

Schalk Burger, the sensational young flanker and the international player of the year, is on the bench alongside Springbok back row colleague Joe van Niekerk and winger Breyton Paulse.

But included in the pack are Springbok props Eddie Andrews and the giant Faan Rautenback plus locks Quinton Davids and Gerrie Britz while Gaffie du Toit, another international, is at outside half.

Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos said: "This game will be a good opportunity for us to see where exactly we stand."

The Dragons have been deprived of seven players who are in the Wales squad.

Nathan Brew, recovered from an ankle injury, returns at centre with Percy Montgomery returning to full back while Ian Gouigh is back at lock and Keiron Crawford starts at hooker.

"It's the hallmark of any good side to have some of their players in the national squad and we are no different," Marinos said.

Stormers' coach Gert Smal said "This will be a good exercise to see where we are in our preparations for this season."

Highlights of the match will be shown on HTV at 11pm tonight and in the Newport clubhouse after the Wales-England under-21 international when a panel of Newport chairman David Watkins, Wales and Lions threequarter Dafydd James and Sunday Times writer Stephen Jones will also assess Wales' chances against England tomorrow.

Dragons: P Montgomery, G Wyatt, N Brew, S Winn, B Breeze, C Warlow, G Baber, A Black, K Crawford, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, J Ringer, R Oakley, J Forster (captain). Replacements: S Tuipulotu, J Bryant, R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, N Edwards, C Trayhern.