NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will see it as a failure if they don't match their heroics of the last two seasons by making it to the knockout stages of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

The Dragons kick off their campaign when they host Brive at Rodney Parade this evening (kick-off 7.30pm) in Pool Three, which also pits them against Worcester and Russian side Enisei.

They have a formidable recent record against sides from the Top 14 in Newport and will look to add the scalp of the 1997 European champions to those of Bordeaux-Begles, Stade Francais, Pau and Castres.

The Dragons will not only have to cope with Brive's hefty pack but the self-imposed pressure of matching their 2015 and 2016 exploits by qualifying from the group. Their trips to the semi-finals mean they will no longer be able to catch rivals cold.

"Maybe in the past teams have not taken us a side that they need to go full strength against," admitted blindside flanker Thomas.

"That will be a factor because teams will see us as more of a threat and change how they play against us and approach games.

"Some of our best results have come in this competition and we have put it on ourselves to do well again and get through the group, because we will see it as a negative if we don't."

"Brive have made a very good start to the season and have a strong pack and scrum, while some of the stuff they do is hard to code in analysis because it's off the cuff," he continued.

"They are a strong team and will be tough opposition, so we will have to be on top of our game but we've got confidence from beating big French teams before."

The Dragons have won just one of six Guinness Pro12 games this season and head into the game on the back of a 31-27 loss at the Scarlets, although they did leave Llanelli with a pair of consolation bonus points.

"It's been a frustrating start but this season we are looking at things differently and rather than 'well done, good performance' we are being hard on ourselves," said Thomas.

"There's a bit of a change of mindset and a change of focus (for Europe). The last couple of years we have done well in the competition and we want to do the same again. It's an opportunity for us to get on a winning streak to take back into the Pro12."

The Dragons travel to Krasnodar on Saturday week to face Enisei, who kick off against Worcester in Moscow tomorrow, before a December double-header with the Warriors, the first meeting taking place at Sixways.

Tonight's team news on page 37