NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner, pictured, acknowledges his team could not have been handed a tougher start to the season but is hopeful it can work in their favour.

The Dragons' first Heineken Cup game will be away to Castres (on the weekend of October 21-23), followed by a home tie with a former club of Turner's, Sale Sharks, the following week.

"I think we are going to have a tough start in the domestic competitions with three or four away games to start (the Celtic League programme has yet to be officially confirmed), but it can work in our favour if we can get something positive out of them," said Turner.

"If we can get a good start and play good rugby then Europe takes on a whole new picture and who knows what may happen. The game is all about confidence and we are looking to build a confident team.

"We need the public to come and support us and cheer us on. There has been enough bickering and argument to last a lifetime, let alone three years, so let's get behind the side."

Regarding Europe, Turner said: "It's a tough start, without a doubt. Castres are historically a very good cup side.

"I went there with a young Harlequins team last year and we were well beaten, but we were in the game for sixty minutes.

"No matter where you go in France, it's a big ask, but hopefully we'll have a sound start to the season and go there full of confidence.

"We'll certainly be playing the same style as Castres so it should be a great start to the European competition.

"I don't know all their newcomers, but I know they have added a bit of a New Zealand flavour along with their French internationals such as Yannick Delaigue and Ugo Mola.

"They always have good locks and people like Romain Froment, the big back row forward, so all in all they are a well rounded side capable of the top six in France.

"Sale will be a different proposition from when I was the only paid guy there really. They have one of the richest guys in Britain now and their squad is full of internationals.

"They have a big French influence in the team in Chebal and Bruno and have added to that with another French prop and Valentin Courant, the Brive goal-kicking scrum half.

"You only have to look also at the British Lions and they have Charlie Hodgson, Jason White, Mark Cueto, Jason Robinson, Andrew Sheridan and others who were on the England tour of Canada and the USA to see they are a strong outfit.

"But it will be interesting to see how we develop our style. We have some fine players as well. And hopefully we can make Rodney Parade a daunting place for everyone to come."