THE Newport Gwent Dragons have got to beat fading English giants Leicester at Rodney Parade next Saturday if they are to keep in the running for European glory.

Leicester showed they are not a spent force by completely turning the tables on Ulster at the weekend, whereas the Dragons fell to a comprehensive 37-0 defeat against French champions Stade Francais in Paris after beating them the week before.

Ruddock is hoping for assistance from a near full house Rodney Parade, hundreds of fans having followed them to France, as they attempt to maintain their impressive un-beaten home record.

It would be the last time newly retired England captain Martin Johnson plays in Wales which should further boost the attendance.

Ruddock admitted: "We've got to win to stay alive. We needed a point against Stade Francais, but we didn't get it and it shows the huge importance of the game next week.

"Leicester are very proud and wounded after some of their recent results so it should be quite an appetising clash.

"We were given a tough lesson by Stade Francais which just shows what we achieved last week.

"This pool is turning round on defeats away from home, so it's going to be fortress Rodney Parade next Saturday and it could go right down to the wire.

"There could be a 8, 9 or 10,000 next week, the majority supporting the Dragons and we've got to shift the focus to that game which is going to be huge.

"We've got to use the pain from this week to fuel our ambition next week.

"We could be at a disadvantage over bonus points in this group (the Dragons are the only team without any), but we absolutely targeting a home win. We are unbeaten at Rodney Parade and we've got a huge opportunity to extend it.

"Before this group started a lot of people thought we would lose all the matches, look how long Cardiff have been together and they have only just ended their drought. We are still proud of our side."

Ruddock will anxiously await fitness reports on key forwards Ian Gough and Ross Beattie. Wales' lock Gough was a late withdrawal yesterday after failing to recover from damaged ribs while Beattie had to be replaced at half time after suffering more hamstring trouble.