ALMOST like old times - and no place for the faint-hearted. That will be the scene at Rodney Parade today when Newport Gwent Dragons take on the might of Leicester with a place in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup beckoning.

The appearance of the imperious Martin Johnson and Neil Back, among others, the arrival of former South Africa captain Bobby Skinstad to boost the Dragons and the renewed financial backing of the charismatic Tony Brown ensures Rodney Parade will be pretty much packed to the rafters.

Not quite the complete sell-out of the Bath Heineken Cup-tie when Newport played them perhaps, but not far off either.

And the match itself is certain to be a full-on physical conflict with the Dragons defending their five-month old unbeaten home record and Leicester targeting the first away victory by any team in this tough group which would almost certainly guarantee them a quarter-final place to revive their flagging season.

But the Dragons have got other ideas. Coach Mike Ruddock has deliberately gone for a beefed up pack including Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Michael Owen and Ross Beattie for the first time.

The idea is to take Leicester on up front and make sure they are not bullied in the way Ruddock feels happened at Leicester first time round.

Tigers coach Dean Richards is ready for it and knows they are facing a physical confrontation from the Dragons.

Given that Martin Johnson and Neil Back rarely have to take a backward step and given what is at stake then the 'no place for the faint-hearted' bit comes into play.

But there is a precedent for the Dragons, and a recent one at that. For just two weeks ago Ulster showed them the way by coming out with all guns blazing and they blew the Tigers away.

Incredibly, they led 28-0 at half-time and it was game over. Inspirational captain and flanker Andy Ward led the way with two tries, but anything Ward can do, so can Dragons counterpart Jason Forster.

He has been in impressive form this season, belatedly attracting the attention of a Wales coach after years of neglect, and he can set the Dragons roaring.

Urged on by a big home crowd and the burning desire to preserve their ground record, the rest of the Dragons pack can follow Forster's lead and put Leicester on the back foot from the start.

Indeed, they must if they are to succeed and gain a remarkable hat-trick of home victories after their successes against Ulster and Stade Francais.

If they can triumph again then they will march on the Ulster fortress of Ravenhill next Friday chasing a place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier competition.

It will also be vital the Dragons backs don't miss first time tackles like they did in France last week for Leicester pose a real threat with half backs Harry Ellis, tipped to go a long way, and Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who provided the penetration previously lacking when the Tigers gained their revenge over Ulster last week.

It was revenge with some style, too, as they overturned a 33-0 deficit with an incredible 49-7 triumph.

That will put them in the right frame of mind for today's clash, but they will find the Dragons in resolute mood and ready to meet them head on.

Percy Montgomery will be a key man for the Dragons. He doesn't take defeat easily, especially like the one against Stade Francais last week.

With big mate Skinstad watching, the occasion is sure to bring the best out of Monty who is set for another top performance.

It's still going to be another tall order for the Dragons, but they've done it twice in Europe and they can do it again.