NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones hopes his side won't be caught cold again in Russia after landing a swift reunion with Enisei-STM in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons have been drawn with the Russians, Newcastle and Bordeaux-Begles in Pool One of the second tier competition.

Jones' men will travel to Enisei with revenge in mind after suffering a humbling 38-18 defeat in Krasnodar last October before they were made to work hard for a bonus point win in Newport.

The head coach hopes the experience will serve his side well as they hunt a place in the quarter-finals after missing out last term.

"I believe that it will help that we've played Enisei before and that we know about the challenges that face us again," said Jones, who is currently in Georgia watching the World Rugby U20 Championship.

"They are a tough team but this time we know what to expect and the physical edge that they bring. We'd like to play them in Moscow this time but we will have to make sure that we are on the money."

The Dragons failed to win outside of Newport all of last season but triumphing on the road is essential if they are to repeat their 2015 and 2016 exploits of making the knockout stages.

They faced the Falcons in the Challenge Cup in 2014/15 losing to the English club at Rodney Parade before a stunning 40-29 victory at Kingston Park that earned a place in the quarter-finals.

They went up against Bordeaux in 2013/14, beating the French side comprehensively 40-24 in Newport before being overpowered 32-13 in France the following weekend.

"We seem to play Newcastle a lot and they are a much-improved side," said Jones, whose side lost to Dean Richards' men in the Anglo-Welsh Cup at a sodden Rodney Parade last season. "They will be a big challenge while Bordeaux is one of the most difficult places to play.

"Europe is about winning your home games and then picking up points away from home, so that's the test for us.

"This is now a competition that includes a number of very strong sides that take it serious and we are looking forward to it."

The dates and order of fixtures are yet to be decided up to the final in Bilbao on Friday, May 11.

South Wales Argus:

Pool One: Newcastle, Newport Gwent Dragons, Bordeaux-Begles, Enisei-STM

Pool Two: Cardiff Blues, Sale, Lyon, Toulouse

Pool Three: Gloucester, Pau, Zebre, Agen

Pool Four: Stade Francais, Edinburgh, London Irish,

Pool Five: Brive, Connacht,  Worcester, Oyonnax

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Round 1: 12/13/14/15 October

Round 2: 19/20/21/22 October

Round 3: 7/8/9/10 December

Round 4: 14/15/16/17 December

Round 5: 11/12/13/14 January 2018

Round 6: 18/19/20/21 January 2018

Quarter-finals: 29/30/31 March – 1 April 2018

Semi-finals: 20/21/22 April 2018

Challenge Cup final: Friday 11 May, Bilbao, San Mamés Stadium