LEICESTER captain Neil Back says they are adopting a backs-to-the-wall mentality going into tomorrow's crunch Heineken Cup-tie against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade (5pm).

After dominating the English and European scene in recent years, Leicester have slipped this season, just three off the bottom of the Zurich Premiership table and struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup.

That is the unusual position in which they find themselves, but their injured players are gradually returning and their remarkable turnaround victory over Ulster by the surprising margin of 49-7 has rocketed them into top position in their group.

No side has managed an away win in pool one after four games, and Leicester will view tomorrow's game as a golden opportunity, even if the Dragons are defending an unbeaten record at Rodney Parade.

"We had our backs to the wall against Ulster last week and it's the same again against Gwent," said Back. "Gwent have a fantastic home record and the support will be behind them.

"We have got to get ourselves mentally right and we have struggled to do that consistently this season. It's a mental challenge to play away from home especially when home advantage is proving to be as important as it has this season.

"It's a challenge to play in a different environment and approach the game in the same way as you would if you were at home. We need to be at our best again on Saturday. We haven't produced back-to-back performances yet this season and we have to if we are going to win the game because it's a big test for us."

Back will be making his 41st Heineken Cup appearance, just five behind Graham Rowntree, Leicester's most experienced European campaigner.

And despite Leicester's problems, Back believes they can not just recover but go on to lift the Heineken trophy for a third time.

"Our targets haven't really changed from the start of the season. Winning in Europe was always right up there and we knew it would be difficult, as it has proved," he said.

"Now we have an opportunity to make a big statement. Do I think we can win it? Emphatically yes.

"The Heineken Cup is fantastic and it gives a different challenge both mentally and physically. It's a very demanding tournament, but it's the ultimate test for Northern Hemisphere players at club level.

"It's a tough task for Leicester. I've been to three finals and won two of them, so I know what it takes. I still believe we have enough to win it."