NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will not progress in the Heineken Cup even if they beat Perpignan at Rodney Parade tomorrow, but experienced winger Gareth Wyatt insists there is still plenty to play for this season.

Successive Magners League wins against Llanelli Scarlets and Glasgow have lifted the Dragons to sixth place in the table with every chance of arresting their slide down the league since the arrival of regional rugby.

In their opening season under Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths, now back in harness at Worcester, the Dragons came third in the table, though they had players of the calibre of Percy Montgomery - ironically back at Rodney Parade tomorrow with Perpignan - and Andy Marinos in their ranks.

The following season the Dragons came fourth, then they slipped to eighth and last season ended up ninth, a slide which owed a great deal to their failure to keep pace with their rival teams and the signings they made. But regardless of that Wyatt believes victory over French aces Perpignan would be further incentive for them to mount a strong challenge in the finale to the Magners League season and finish higher up the table than for the past few years.

"We improved a lot over the Christmas period and we can even take heart from the second half against London Irish," said Wyatt, now recovered from a shoulder injury which kept him out for six weeks.

"To score four tries against a top side was quite an achievement and, though our home form has deserted us a bit, if we get a good win against Perpig-nan it will lift us to drive on for the rest of the season.

"The majority of our Magners League games left are at home, so we can improve on our finishes in the table over the last few years."

Wyatt knows what it's like to beat Perpignan, for he is one of the survivors from the side which defeated them 27-14 at Rodney Parade in December 2004, though they lost the return a week later 32-9.

"They are a top French side and it would be massive for them to beat us and qualify for the quarter-finals.

"But we're improving as well after the big disappointment of losing at home to Treviso.

"The game out in Perpignan in November was there for us to win, but a couple of mistakes cost us. It was only their first or second competitive game of the season and they've improved since then."

Wyatt will renew acquaintances with former Dragons star Montgomery tomorrow. "I'm sure Percy will be relishing coming back to Wales in the pouring rain," he joked.

"But he was the fans' favourite and I'm sure they'll give him a warm welcome.

"He's a proven world class player, but it's been a new challenge for him in Perpignan and I'm sure it'll be interesting for him to be playing at Rodney Parade for another team."

Wyatt admits it is disappointing the Dragons have got only one player in the Wales squad for the Six Nations Championship.

He is particularly sad Michael Owen failed to make it.

"He has been outstanding and he should feel aggrieved and disappointed," said Wyatt.

"But the only way to get back in is to put in the performances for the Dragons and hope to go on the summer tour to South Africa. A lot can change in a couple of months."