DIRECTOR of rugby Lyn Jones says Newport Gwent Dragons need to keep their positive approach if they are to secure a home quarter-final in the European Rugby Challenge Cup by beating Sale on Thursday.

The Rodney Parade region are on the brink of the last eight thanks to a bonus point win against Castres on Friday evening, triumphing 31-18 thanks to tries by wings Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt and flankers Nic Cudd and Lewis Evans.

They lead Pool Two with 20 points, two ahead of the Sharks, and could even be assured of knockout rugby if results go their way this weekend.

If Brive beat Connacht this evening and limit the Irish province to a solitary losing bonus then the Dragons are assured of one of the three best runners-up spots.

A rather less likely scenario is a combination of Montpellier failing to score four tries in victory against Calvisano to go along with a Cardiff Blues loss at Harlequins.

The Dragons probably have enough to make it through but Jones is thrilled to be going into the final game of a tough group with shot at topping it to earn a Rodney Parade quarter-final.

“It’s winner takes all next week and that’s what you aim for in Europe, to get to round six with everything to play for,” he said.

“We thought we would have to go to win at Sale and that’s how it has turned out to be. We know it’s going to be a hell of a game, a tough game with everything to play for.

“We have to be positive in our game because we know how dangerous a side Sale can be.”

The Dragons led 24-3 against Castres on the stroke of half-time but had to withstand a French rally before Hewitt’s late score secured the win.

They were aided by Alexandre Bias and Eric Sione seeing red and yellow respectively approaching the hour for dangerous tackles but Jones was thrilled by the approach of his charges.

“We are delighted with the result and some of our rugby was outstanding against a good Castres side,” he said.

“They are organised, well coached and David Smith carries them sometimes and makes a difference but our players applied themselves and were exciting, playing some open rugby.

“We were determined to keep the scoreboard going second half but it just didn’t work for us! Fair play to them they came back but we were just too good. We played some scintillating rugby.”