STADE Francais will have a huge job on their hands when they face Newport Gwent Dragons in the Heineken Cup on Saturday, says coach Nick Mallett.

"Of course I'm looking forward to coming back to Wales, but it's a pity about the weather as we were looking forward to playing in the dry," said Mallett, the former South Africa coach who was in charge in 1999 when Wales beat the Springboks for the first time.

"I know the Dragons are third in the Celtic League and did well against Ulster. To beat them was a good performance and we've got a huge job on our hands to win this one.

"We'd be happier playing in the Spring because we've got a good, mobile backline, but in the rain it will be a battle of the goal kickers."

Mallett believes it is the hardest pool and that the competition needs a drastic overhaul. He also thinks regional rugby is the best way ahead for Wales.

"It's a very tight pool, the toughest and we might regret losing by two points in Ulster when we made a hash defensively near the end.

"We obviously hope to get a result or at least a bonus point on Saturday. This will be a crucial weekend for us and Leicester.

"But though this is a good competition it is badly thought out because with only two second-placed teams going through the ones with an Italian team in it are guaranteed a place.

"I know there have been problems with regions in Wales. It'll take a couple of years to bed down," he said.

"In South Africa, when Western Province were driving it, it became very successful but when Orange Free State and Transvaal combined there were real complications and it was a mess-up.

"It's very difficult to break down the support base, but it's the right way to go because Welsh club rugby and the national side have been struggling."