LYN Jones is confident the experience of a nervy quarter-final victory against Cardiff Blues will serve his Newport Gwent Dragons well when they travel to Murrayfield in the last four of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

The Dragons have emulated the class of 2007 by making it to the semi-finals thanks to a tense 25-21 derby win at Rodney Parade.

Now it's Edinburgh that stand between them and a first final in the region's history at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 1.

The Dragons will be underdogs for the encounter at Murrayfield but Jones says his side, who have already upset Stade Francais and Newcastle on their own turf in Europe, will reap the benefits of their battle with the Blues.

He said: "We've lots of young lads and the quarter-final was a big experience for them, you saw at the start that they were trying too hard, freezing and making uncharacteristic errors.

"But we need that in the bank to become better players and the next challenge is another massive game at Murrayfield.

"It's another learning curve and once you taste it and like it, you want more of it. Success breeds, it's wonderful.

"As a player and a coach I've been fortunate enough to be involved in these games and I am delighted that the young boys in our squad have felt that and sensed what an occasion it was.

"It was wonderful – a local derby, full house at Rodney Parade and a tight game. All the ingredients."

"It's massive for the region, a region that's bouncing back from many years of being unsuccessful," he continued. It's so important to the business, so important to the supporters and players."

The Dragons, after facing Champions Cup semi-finalists Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday, will now travel to Murrayfield on Friday, April 17.

Edinburgh, who sit two places above the Dragons in seventh in the Pro12 and triumphed 24-10 when the sides met in the Scottish capital in October, beat London Irish 23-18 in a thriller in Reading to make the last four.

Jones said: "Edinburgh are a side that have grown through the season. They weren't great at the start but have got better slowly and are trying hard to play some football."