NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell says it wouldn't make sense to waste the players' efforts to earn home advantage by moving their mouth-watering European quarter-final against Cardiff Blues away from Rodney Parade.

The Dragons will host their regional rivals in the last eight of the European Rugby Challenge Cup on the first weekend of April.

The idea of playing the clash at the Millennium Stadium has been floated but Hazell believes the derby will take place on Newport soil.

"It will need to be discussed by the board but my personal feeling is that it will be played at Rodney Parade," he said.

"The players have worked very hard to earn home advantage so it doesn't make sense to throw that away by playing at a neutral ground.

"I think it would be a great occasion to hold it in Newport at our own ground and with the loud backing of our own fans."

The Dragons secured a home tie by beating Stade Francais 30-19 on Saturday but were leapfrogged in the seedings by Exeter, who beat Bayonne 45-3 to secure a showdown with Newcastle.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones was delighted that his charges had backed up their impressive 40-29 victory in Newcastle that had secured Pool Three top spot.

He said: "We didn't care if we finished second, third or fourth, we just wanted a home draw. That was the most important thing and the eight sides in this competition are there or thereabouts in terms of ability and standard, there's not much to pick from.

"Young rugby players want events to look forward to and in April we will be playing a European quarter-final which will be great for Newport, the Dragons and Rodney Parade.

"It's going to be a great occasion and a game either side can win. It will be good for Wales that there is a bit of interest in European competition."

The Dragons won the Guinness Pro12 derby in the capital on Boxing Day but were edged out 11-9 at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day.

The quarter-final could be played on the first Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday of April, although Newport County are scheduled to be playing Hartlepool at Rodney Parade on the Friday evening.