WE must step it up for the Heineken Cup, says Percy Montgomery, 23-point hero of Newport Gwent Dragons' 38-15 victory over The Borders in Galashiels on Friday night.

The win lifted the Dragons up to third place in the Celtic League table and it was their fifth victory in their last six games.

But they must find another level when they take on Stade Francais at Rodney Parade on Saturday in the first of four straight Heineken Cup games.

The French giants, who are coached by former South Africa chief Nick Mallett, had 14 players involved in the World Cup and boast a huge pack which will be difficult to overcome.

They beat Leicester comfortably, but then slipped to a narrow defeat in Belfast, but earned a vital bonus point.

"Stade Francais will be a huge step-up, the pace will be faster and we've got to play for 80 minutes, not in patches," said Montgomery.

But despite being in the same group as former winners Leicester and Ulster and runners-up Stade Francais, Montgomery refuses to accept the Dragons can't get through.

"In rugby anything is possible. It's quite an open pool and the guys must believe in themselves," he said. "They've got to turn up on Saturday and give it everything for 80 minutes, not just play in stretches.

"But we'll go in on the back of a good win and a bonus point which is what we came up to Scotland for so it was job done.

"It's always difficult playing away, and it was a bit of a worry that we were 20-0 up then allowed Borders back into it."

Monty returned to his specialist full back role and took over the place kicking role. He responded by kicking four penalties and three conversions, as well as scoring a try.

"I'm glad I was given another opportunity at full back, I needed to pick up my game a bit. Rugby is about running it and letting the ball do the work, but sometimes you've got to kick."

Dragons coach Mike Ruddock also warns his players they will have to find another level against Stade Francais.

"We'll have to step up another gear, but we'll give it our best shot," he said.

"It was an early start to Scotland, some players leaving at 5am and we were without a game for three weeks so it was natural there would be a few errors, but hopefully we'll put that right against Stade Francais."

Ruddock is waiting on injury reports on Ross Beattie and Lee Jarvis who suffered hamstring and back injuries, respectively, against Borders and Nathan Brew (cheekbone) and Steve Jones (ribs) who could not be considered.

Montgomery won a bottle of whisky for his man-of-the-match award against Borders, but can't use it as he says he made a New Year resolution not to drink at all.