NEWPORT Gwent Dragons must beat formidable French team Perpignan or emerging Exeter away if they are to make real progress in the Amlin Challenge Cup next season.

Unlike the last time they were in the competition, only the group winners go through to the knock-out stages, joined by three Heineken Cup sides, so they have got to achieve that big away win.

It’s going to be a tall order against Perpignan, usually a Heineken Cup team who were 2003 finalists and will have Wales ace James Hook in their side, and Exeter, who finished eighth in the debut season in England’s top flight with notable wins against Gloucester, Saracens away and Northampton.

Among their close season signings is Wales prop Craig Mitchell who has joined from the Ospreys while they have former Dragons backs Phil Dollman and Matt Jess in their ranks.

“We are conscious we’ve got to win all our home games, but we have to get a big result away as well,” said Dragons coach Darren Edwards.

“The Dragons don’t win many European games, but we’ve got to produce consistent performances in Europe.

“We’ve got to win as many as we can with the aim of of going through. The LV competition last season was important and Europe would be massive progress for us.

“Perpignan are a big European team and James Hook will be there, too, we know what sort of player he is. But we need to start testing ourselves against an established European team.

“Exeter will be tough as well. They are an abrasive team and any side who beat Saracens away and Northampton is quality.

“They will be ambitious and will want to kick on. They laid a marker down last season and the Amlin Challenge Cup will be a sign for them.”

Making up the group are Italians Cavalieri Prato, who are based in the Tuscany area.

Their best known player is outside half/full back Wima Wakarua who played against Wales for Italy in the 2003 World Cup. They also have two Argentinian props and a South African lock.

“They are an unknown quantity, so it’s about how we respond to that,” said Edwards.