Coach Dale MacLeod admits the EPCR Challenge Cup gave Dragons RFC ‘belief’ last season – and now the team want to enjoy another strong run in the competition.
The Men of Gwent start the new European season this Friday night when Top 14 side USA Perpignan arrive at Rodney Parade (kick-off 8pm).
Last term saw Dragons enjoy a historic run to the semi-finals as they stunned Stade Francais Paris and Zebre Parma in the knockouts before being edged out by eventual winners Montpellier.
“Europe gave the team a lot of belief last season,” stated MacLeod.
“We had to fight to get where we got to, and then when we got in there, we surprised a lot of people and that's obviously carried forward.
“We're looking forward to Europe again because we've tasted what it can be like, and probably last week (against Ospreys) gave us an experience of what it can be like if you don't get what you want.
“We're excited to go in there and have a French team come to Rodney Parade.
“There's a few teams that don't get to come to us too often, so it's pretty special for us.”
Dragons face French sides Perpignan and Bayonne this season in the pool stages and away trips to Toyota Cheetahs – in Swansea – and Ulster Rugby.
And MacLeod admitted securing home knockout rugby was the target.
“In any competition, the teams that get the home play-offs, you get your own crowd, your own support, the easiness of just getting in your car and driving to the ground,” he said. “All those things make a difference in your performance.
“Last year we had to fly to South Africa, fly back, then fly to France, fly back, and then fly to Parma, and then back.
“If you if you can get a home run, then that stuff's so much easier so that has to be the target.”
After our incredible run to the semi-finals last season, our Challenge Cup opener will take place at Rodney Parade on Friday, October 16 (kick-off 8pm) and tickets for that game are available HERE
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We had to fight to get where we got to, and then when we got in there, we surprised a lot of people and that's obviously carried forward...
