ANDREW Coombs says the Newport Gwent Dragons pack are gunning for revenge in Saturday’s European derby with Cardiff Blues after being turned over on their own turf.

A place in the semi-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup is the prize for the winners when the two rivals lock horns at Rodney Parade (kick-off 12.45pm) in one of the biggest games in the regional rugby era.

The Dragons have home advantage – but that didn’t help in the Guinness Pro12 at the start of the year.

Lyn Jones’ men headed into that game in Newport buoyed by a stunning Boxing Day success at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park that was based on breakdown aggression and a well-drilled driving lineout.

But the tables were turned when the capital region triumphed 11-9, a defeat that will be firing the Dragons up at their Ystrad Mynach training base this week.

“They did a job on us at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day and the boys are still hurting from that,” said Wales international Coombs, an even more influential figure in the absence of suspended lock Rynard Landman.

“We are excited and need to turn up this time because we were poor against them in so many aspects of our game.

“They held onto the ball for long periods of time and when we turned the ball over we were lazy on it. The forwards were just looking for the backs to kick instead of working hard.

“As long as we work hard as a pack off our 9 and 10 then I am sure things will go well for us.”

The Dragons are monitoring injuries to two key forwards with loosehead prop Boris Stankovich rated as 50/50 after a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s 32-17 win in Treviso with a calf niggle while openside flanker Nic Cudd has missed the last two league fixtures with a neck problem.

Director of rugby Jones also has a tough choice to make in midfield with Pat Leach and Tyler Morgan vying to slot in next to Jack Dixon although the latter, who spearheaded the passage to the quarters by starring against Newcastle and Stade Francais in January, could also be an option on the wing.

The Blues have a number of problems in the backs with fly-half/full-back Rhys Patchell a huge doubt after being knocked out at Ulster last Friday while Cory Allen dislocated his right shoulder in the opening exchanges in Belfast.

Tickets, priced from £10 to £35, are still available for the derby. Go to newportgwentdragons.com/tickets or ring 01633 674990.