ROSS Wardle is confident that a settled back line can help give Newport Gwent Dragons the edge against the juggernauts of Bucharest, writes Chris Kirwan.

Much of the focus ahead of today’s European Rugby Challenge Cup clash at the Ghencea Stadium (kick-off 11am) has been on the battle up front.

The Wolves will field an intimidating pack that will attempt to put the squeeze on the Rodney Parade region at the set piece but the Dragons believe they can stand up to the home front eight and thrive out wide.

“They are going to be big, strong and physical but we need to use our technical skills to beat them,” said centre Wardle, who has started the last four games after recovering from ruptured knee ligaments.

“It’s the first time this season that we’ve had the same back line two weeks in a row. That’s nice and I am getting used to playing with Ashley again in midfield.

“In attack we can start putting some shapes together in phase-play because it’s tough when there is chopping and changing. You get to know each other’s games; I know that Ashley is a good distributor and offloader, so I can work off him.

“Me and Ashley have been coming back from injury, (fly-half Jason) Tovey had his first game for a while at fly-half and (wing Tom) Prydie was back from Wales duty.

“The whole back line has changed and it’s just a case of getting used to playing together, when we do that we can be a force to be reckoned with.”

Today is the start of a crucial few weeks for the Dragons in both the Challenge Cup and Guinness Pro12.

At least eight points against the Romanians would set up a mouth-watering January date with Newcastle and would leave them heading into key league encounters with a spring in their step.

“Win both against Bucharest and there’s a big game with Newcastle away, especially after the disappointment of losing to them at home,” said Wardle.

“We are capable of winning the rest of our games in the group and we need to keep building. Success in the next two weeks can help leading into Zebre and the Cardiff Blues double-header.

“Bucharest have had some decent results in recent years and aren’t a weak outfit but if we play our best then we should win.”