PERCY Montgomery is back - ready for a corker of a duel with Brian O'Driscoll at Rodney Parade tomorrow night and with Newport Gwent Drag-ons coach Chris Anderson firmly believing he can be an inspiration to everyone.

Though he made his international comeback in his specialist full back position, Monty is back for the Dragons in the outside centre position where he excelled for the second half of last season.

The shoulder injury suffered by Hal Luscombe in Glasgow last week virtually clinched Monty's return in the centre.

Despite Anderson's comparative lack of knowledge about rugby union, he is hugely impressed with Montgomery in the short time he has known him.

Already he says his attitude is as good as any rugby league player he has coached - and Anderson was in charge of the Aussie World Cup winning team in 1999.

"He adds a lot, he's a world class player who has got a great attitude," said Anderson. "He is keen for the team to do well which rubs off on them, he's quality and the effort and inspiration he puts into training means a lot.

"He's a real pro, he does his training on his own after we've finished and he's up there with any rugby league player I've coached with his attitude.

"It's going to be a big occasion tomorrow and we should get a bigger crowd though I loved it at Rodney Parade the first time round (against Llanelli Scarlets). The crowd was tremendous and helped us in the fight." Anderson also has a healthy respect for O'Driscoll whose appearance at Newport tomorrow will be his first of the season.

"I saw him for the first time really on the British Lions tour in Australia in 2001. He was dynamite in the first game, he played really good rugby throughout, and I thought the Lions had it at half-time in the second game but they let it go."

Anderson then positively beamed as he said, "You mustn't give him space and you've got to slow the rucks down - there, that's a bit of rugby talk for you!

"I'm not sure of the Irish style, it's a new experience for me. They've got a fair history and we'll have to put a game plan together against them.

"I'm learning every day, I'm starting to get a better idea, we're starting to take shape as a team. I'll rely on the players a bit, it'll be a good test for us to see where we are."