THE importance of Newport Gwent Dragons' Guinness Pro12 clash with Treviso in the countdown to the European quarter-final against Cardiff Blues is highlighted by the rapid return for Taulupe Faletau this evening.

The number eight played every minute of Wales' Six Nations campaign but is swiftly back in regional colours for tonight's encounter at the Stadio Monigo (kick-off 7.30pm).

With the Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade looming in just seven days the Dragons management could ill afford to allow Faletau to put his feet up.

The 24-year-old's brain has been filled with Wales patterns and plays for the past two months and he needs to switch back ahead of the Blues clash that will make or break his region's season, hence he is named on an exciting looking bench for the Treviso trip.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has given a hint of his starting line-up for the Blues clash with Pat Leach, such a key defensive figure, coming into midfield alongside fellow powerful centre Jack Dixon.

Tyler Morgan was devastating as the Dragons claimed Pool Three top spot with victories against Newcastle and Stade Francais and is named among the replacements at the Stadio Monigo.

Perhaps the 19-year-old, who returns after two months out resting a knee problem, will come into the mix as a game-breaking wing against the Blues or maybe the kicking prowess of Jason Tovey and Tom Prydie will be retained.

The management have gone with their first choice tight five with Cory Hill continuing at lock in the absence of suspended captain Rynard Landman.

Despite talk of competition for places there is no danger of loosehead Boris Stankovich, hooker Rhys Thomas, tighthead Brok Harris or second row forward Andrew Coombs being left out of the derby XV as long as they are fit.

James Benjamin gets another chance to impress at openside while Nic Cudd, one of the Dragons' stars of the season, nurses a neck injury and his fellow young flanker Ollie Griffiths could leap into contention for the quarter-final if he carries his Wales Under-20s form onto the regional scene.

Faletau's inclusion means that it is James Thomas and Nick Crosswell that will cover lock rather than Matthew Screech.

"What's important against Treviso is that we come through unscathed and momentum is very, very important," said director of rugby Jones.

"People do have an eye on that game and we have talked about it. We are looking at Treviso to work on weaknesses in our game to ensure that we get it right against the Blues."

Treviso are boosted by the return of Exeter-bound centre Michele Campagnaro, who only played one round of the Six Nations after suffering a knee injury against Ireland.

Three of their 23 featured against Wales in Rome last weekend – centre Enrico Bacchin, flanker Francesco Minto and scrum-half Edoardo Gori.

The Dragons have won on their travels to Cardiff Blues and Leinster in the league this season and if they can triumph at Treviso – something that they have never done – then they will won three Pro12 games on the road for the first time since 2007/8.

Their record number of league away wins in a campaign is five, which they achieved in the first season of regional rugby.

Treviso: J Hayward, S Ragusi, M Campagnaro, E Bacchin, L Nitoglia, S Christie, A Lucchese, M Zanusso, D Giazzon, R Harden, A Pavanello (captain), C Van Zyl, M Barbini, F Minto, M Luamanu. Replacements: A Anae, R Acosta, M Muccignat, M Fuser, M Swanepoel, D Budd, A Pratichetti, E Gori.

Dragons: J Tovey, T Prydie, P Leach, J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones, J Evans, B Stankovich, R Thomas (captain), B Harris, A Coombs, C Hill, J Thomas, J Benjamin, N Crosswell. Replacements: H Gustafson, P Price, D Way, T Faletau, O Griffiths, L Jones, T Morgan, C Meyer.

Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)