NEWPORT Gwent Dragons need fear no-one in Europe after their cracking 24-15 victory over former Heineken Cup champions Ulster at Rodney Parade yesterday.

Not only that, but they scored two tries to nil, keeping a clean sheet on their debut in European competition.

It means they can now take on English and French giants Leicester and Stade Francais with confidence.

Far from being group one chopping blocks, the Dragons have set the alarm bells ringing and ex-champions Leicester and former runners-up Stade Francais know they can take nothing for granted.

Leicester are next for the Dragons at Welford Road on Sunday when Ben Kay is expected to augment Martin Johnson and Neil Back from England's mighty World Cup winning side.

And Stade Francais can only get better after the return of 14 players from four different countries from the World Cup.

Their pack looks enormous, but the Dragons have shown they are capable of taking on the French aces, who beat Leicester on Saturday, when they visit Rodney Parade on Sunday January 11.

Leicester visit the ground a fortnight later, although the actual day has yet to be finalised.

The Dragons have been boosted by the backing of Wales coach Steve Hansen, who was at Rodney Parade yesterday, pleased with a weekend which produced victories for the Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets and Celtic Warriors, with Cardiff Blues and Neath-Swansea Ospreys going down narrowly.

"It was a very encouraging weekend, and there were some very good crowds," said Hansen. The Rodney Parade attendance was near 6,000 taking in members and children in the 'kids go free' scheme.

"There is no doubt the regional concept will work given time and the supporters get behind it.

"It has already increased competition for places, you only have to look at the Dragons bench today," added Hansen, referring to internationals Andy Marinos, Michael Owen, Rhys Oakley and Rod Snow, all of whom went on.

"It will take time and it won't happen overnight. If you look at the history of other nations that have done this the support was low early on but then took off.

"But it's different here from the Southern Hemisphere countries, for one there is the weather, which is what makes rugby such a great game.

"There are some good quality young players out there starting to come through which will give Wales a good base. It's early days but there are encouraging signs."

Dragons' chairman David Pickering enthusing over the performance and the crowd while director Martyn Hazell, who issued a plea for support during the week, said "The response was great.

"This was the first step on a long ladder upwards."