STADE Francais' struggles in Romania means there's no danger of Newport Gwent Dragons believing they just need to turn up in Bucharest to earn the spoils on Saturday (kick-off 11am).

The Dragons resume their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign with a trip to the Stadium Arcul de Triumf to face a side that qualified for the tournament by beating Italian club Calvisano.

The Wolves are a side comprised of players from the Romanian domestic league and hit back from a disappointing performance in a 43-19 loss to Newcastle on opening weekend to push French giants Stade all the way.

The Frenchmen were made to sweat in freezing conditions for their 13-9 victory, withstanding a late charge from their hosts to emerge with the spoils thanks to a try by Australia wing Digby Ioane.

The Dragons shot themselves in the foot by losing at home to the Falcons the week after a stunning bonus-point win in Paris but still have a golden chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals – as long as they do the double over the Romanians.

"It we don't take Bucharest seriously then we will get stung," said back row/lock James Thomas. "If we win home and away then it sets up Newcastle away and we will be right in the mix, if we don't won then we can forget about qualifying.

"They went close against Stade Francais so are not a bad outfit and they will chuck everything at us, so we have to be strong in the first 20 minutes.

"It's a different type of challenge because we don't know lots about them but they will be big up front with a driving lineout, strong scrum and have a 12 who kicks it long.

"It will be a tough job for the forwards and it's up to us to do our jobs properly and get on top."

Thomas had made a real impression for the Dragons after earning a one-year professional contract by impressing in the Principality Premiership with Bedwas.

He's made 10 appearances and six starts on the spin, the last three in his preferred position of blindside flanker after initially covering lock.

"I didn't expect to be in this position at the start of the season," said Thomas, who is in the final year of a biological sciences degree at Cardiff University.

"The first few times that I was selected was because of injuries so it's a big confidence boost to get picked on good performances.

"I've been a bit more comfortable in the back row in the last few weeks and have been able to get through more work, but I'm happy to play anywhere."

The Dragons played Bucharest in the 2006/7, romping to a 66-10 win at Rodney Parade before being made to work hard for a 39-29 success in Romania thanks to tries by Nic Fitisemanu, Paul Emerick, Gareth Baber and Aled Brew.