CAPTAIN Rhys Thomas says Newport Gwent Dragons are hitting top form at the perfect time and are ready to become history makers at Murrayfield tomorrow evening.

The Rodney Parade region will attempt to reach the first final in their 12-year history when they take on Edinburgh in the last four of the Challenge Cup.

The Dragons have equalled the feat of Paul Turner's class of 2007 but tonight's semi-final appears to be more winnable that their encounter against Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin, when a spirited display couldn't prevent a 46-29 defeat.

And hopes that Lyn Jones' men can earn a spot to face either Gloucester or Exeter at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 1 have been boosted by a four-game winning streak in which they have beaten Guinness Pro12 title hopefuls Ulster and Leinster, won at Treviso for the first time in the league and edged out Cardiff Blues in a tense quarter-final derby.

"It's a role reversal of last season when we started well," said former Wales hooker Thomas. "This year we have put things in place and are picking up momentum at the right time. We seem to be hitting form at the right time.

"It's exciting for us and this group hasn't been here before. The Dragons have made the semi-finals once but we have got a good chance of going up to Edinburgh and getting the scalp.

"We aren't favourites but we had a good result against Leinster and momentum is huge for a young group."

Thomas will be in the thick of the action against a strong Edinburgh tight five that ended the Scarlets' 14-month unbeaten streak in Llanelli last month by putting the squeeze on at the set piece.

And the hooker knows that if the Dragons pack can hold their own then they have the running talent to hurt their hosts in the shape of Wales ace Taulupe Faletau, Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan.

"Edinburgh drive a lot and will come at us there. The set piece will be huge and I expect a hard-fought battle up front," said Thomas.

"We try to play smart and we can mix the game up. If we can get a good platform for Toby, our wings and our centres then I am sure we are in for a good day."