Surprise, surprise!

Only two months ago they were heading for the scrapheap, forced into administration, players taking wage cuts and their very existence in jeopardy.

Yet they are in third place in the Celtic League table, have beaten former Heineken Cup winners Ulster in this year's competition and are 17 points ahead of bottom-placed Welsh team Cardiff Blues halfway through the season so are almost certain to qualify for the premier European competition again.

Who would have thought all that just a short while ago?

The answer is probably no-one, not even themselves and certainly not their opposition in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup.

And therein lies the answer, at least in part, though there is of course more to it like the incredible focus of coach Mike Ruddock and the attitude of the players.

But team after team fail to give the Dragons sufficient respect. Basically, they haven't got a clue who they are and they go in expecting victory.

Ulster were certainly given a massive jolt when they arrived at Rodney Parade expecting a comfortable passage but instead got dumped.

And when the Dragons travelled to Scotland last Friday The Borders felt they were pretty much assured of only their third victory of the season.

Again it didn't happen as the Scots also paid the price for underestimating the Dragons. There was a feeling that the Dragons were without any stars, Percy Montgomery apart perhaps, and with so little known about them they couldn't be that good.

But the Dragons had other ideas and within 20 minutes were 20 points ahead with the game virtually decided there and then.

Apart from the surprise element and the efforts of the coach and players, there are a few who have exceeded all expectations.

Hal Luscombe, Jamie Ringer and Gareth Baber are three who are playing superbly every game while others like Steve Winn and Adam Black are performing regularly.

Yet even two months into the season they weren't even sure of their places, now it's hard to leave them out and if they're not known to the opposition they will be pretty soon.

Luscombe looks dangerous every time he has the ball, as sharp as a razor, Ringer is outstanding at number six, a perfect foil for Jason Forster while Baber is busy and persistent at scrum half.

Ruddock even has major selection problems on his hands - who does he pick at lock out of Ian Gough, Michael Owen and Peter Sidoli for example?

But it's still going to be a different ball game this month, for this is where the going really does get tough.

The Dragons face back-to-back games in the Heineken Cup against French champions Stade Francais, starting at Rodney Parade on Saturday, then it's Leicester at home and Ulster away, both former champions.

Even after that the Dragons face Leinster and Llanelli in the Celtic League in successive weekends.

So it's going to be a massive step-up from here on in, and if the Dragons manage even a couple of wins out of that lot they will continue to cause ripples in the pond.

Ruddock was actually disappointed with the way the Dragons fell off the pace against Borders after easing into a big early lead, and pledges to cut out the errors as he steps up training this week.

At least the Welsh regions are showing signs of stability at the very least, and even prospering in some cases.

There remains uncertainty off the field, with financial backing from the top insufficient for five teams and backers wavering in their desire to carry on.

The Dragons, in particular, are showing great resolve on the field and, as I've said before, they really do deserve major support, starting with the visit of Stade Francais on Saturday.

The regions could yet take off, and I can't see them floundering as they've done in Scotland where the game is in some danger.

There is a great tradition in the Borders and it was almost eerie driving through the deserted A7 last Friday, people still on holiday and no-one about, fields and mountains covered in snow, thinking of great names passing through former strongholds like Hawick and Selkirk then on to Galashiels.

If you want to get to the Scottish borders by road in five hours then go during the Christmas and new year holiday, but sadly Scottish and Borders rugby is in decline.

The Borders were, in truth, poor opposition and failed to be stirred even by the local girl who rode a majestic white stallion around the pitch waving the Borders flag accompanied by rousing music before the start, evoking memories of historic battles.

That was the only traditional bit, and it looks as though it will take more than new coach Matt Williams' insistence on players remaining north of the border to qualify for the national team.

The outlook on the Welsh front remains hopeful. Long may it continue - and the fans here can help big time by giving the one professional team in Gwent their backing.