BEING faced my a monster wing on the charge isn't ideal for most players but it was just the sort of test that Newport Gwent Dragons' Adam Hughes wanted on his comeback from a concussion he admits had him fearing for his career.

After five months on the sidelines because following a head injury, the 26-year-old made his return in the European Rugby Challenge Cup victory against Enisei-STM at Rodney Parade last Friday.

Hughes was came on with half an hour left and promptly got a showdown with the 6ft 5in, 16st 7lbs Denis Simplikevich, the strong-running Russian international speedster who caused the Dragons all manner of problems.

"I was very nervous pre-game and while I was sat on the bench but having to make that first big hit within five seconds of being on the field was a huge confidence booster for me," said the centre/wing.

"There was no better way than getting straight on the field and having the biggest wingers I've ever seen running straight at me!

"There was only a split second and I did the thing I promised myself I wouldn't do, I dived headfirst straight into his legs!"

Experiencing the rough and tumble was a thrill for Hughes after being out of action since suffering a head injury against Cardiff Blues in pre-season.

In recent seasons the Dragons have seen Ashley Smith and Matthew Pewtner retire because of head injuries so Hughes was relieved to always feel like he was making progress.

"At the start, when I was really struggling, the thought does go through your mind and you have to battle those thoughts to come back," he said.

"But I can't thank the Dragons enough, they have been amazing with me and the medical team didn't rush me, which is absolutely key with concussions. We did things gradually and slowly.

"It was a bad knock out, you could see that on the video, and I struggled with my memory and concentration.

"What we did was build the threshold of exercise because at the start I was really struggling and anything where my heart rate went up, my head would start to go. You slowly do more and more every week.

"Luckily my grade back to rugby was continuous and I never had a drop-off. That's when you'd start to think about your career and whether you can ever do it again but I was constantly going up the hill and getting fitter and better."

Hughes had made 105 appearances for the Dragons and was a key figure last season after returning to Rodney Parade from Exeter but was frustratingly something of an outsider.

"You find yourself not being able to do anything and you are locked away and it's tough because it's the invisible injury," said Hughes.

"You realise how much you miss being around the boys and being out there training, throwing the ball around and being part of a team environment.

"It was a long time and you've got to get to a stage in your concussion rehab where you say 'right, I'm going for it', rather than doing fitness and small drills.

"You can test and test and test but at some stage you have to give it a go. I felt that I was right and I think the Enisei game proved that we all made the right decision."

Hughes will hope to feature again this weekend when the Dragons head to Brive looking to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup for the third successive season.

He said: "Last year was one of the highlights of my career getting through to the semi-final. We did the job against Enisei and the next one is to win in Brive.

"We've done quite well in France in recent years so have to go there with confidence, knowing that we can do the job."