NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are very much up for the cup in their Anglo-Welsh clash with Paul Turner targeting a big semi-final day out for the fans.

The Dragons head coach said he would “love to” take the Rodney Parade faithful to the last four of this season’s LV Cup.

And he has picked just about as strong a squad to face Guinness Premiership strugglers Sale as he can for their opening match.

Despite front row injury headaches, international call-ups, the absence of skipper Tom Willis with his calf problem and the resting of a few players, the Dragons look like they mean business. Seasoned pros like tomorrow’s captain Shaun Connor, Matthew J Watkins, Martyn Thomas, Richard Fussell, Rhodri Davies, Adam Jones, Hoani MacDonald and Robert Sidoli could all feature.

And they are also looking to give further experience to Cross Keys back row player Toby Faletau, 18, who made his Dragons debut last week.

They could also blood his fellow Pandy Park and Dragons academy teammate centre Matthew Pewtner, also 18.

Also included in the squad are Wales Under-20s prop Dan Watchurst and his Bedwas teammate Adam Greendale, a stand-off who has represented England Under-19s.

Turner said: “I would love to take our supporters to a semi-final. We’ve got a good record at home in this competition (Leicester, Northampton, Worcester and Newcastle have all been defeated at Rodney Parade).

“And the English clubs will be taking this competition seriously as it is one of their routes into Europe (if an English club wins the tournament they automatically qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup).

“We are thinking of resting a number of players but we still feel this squad has a good combination of experience and youth.”

Turner was visibly delighted after last week’s heroic win against a high-flying and strong Edinburgh at Murrayfield last week.

He said the Dragons are hoping to build on that fine victory: “We won with something to spare in the end, and with a good coaching week, it showed me there’s a lot of competition for places.

“If we can get our game right, on any day we can beat most sides.”

And Turner is hoping the Rodney Parade buzz will help his side tomorrow night: “The atmosphere has never changed (from his playing days).

“If we can go on winning, it’s going to get better and better.”

Dragons squad: A Greendale, A Walker, D Lee, M Thomas, M J Watkins, R G Davies, R Fussell, S Connor (capt), W Harries, A Brown, A Jones, D Watchurst, D Goodfield, G Webb, H MacDonald, H Gustafson, J Harris, L Evans, M Pewtner, P Palmer, P Bracken, R Sidoli, T Faletau.