THE Dragons have kept their Champions Cup hopes alive going into the final weekend of action in the Guinness PRO14.

Dean Ryan's men will have a chance of sneaking into fourth place in Conference A when they take to the field against Edinburgh on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) and they will know exactly what is needed.

Glasgow are in pole position but their failure to leave Principality Stadium with anything on Sunday – mystifyingly turning down a late shot at goal for a consolation – has left the door open.

The Warriors finish up against winless Benetton at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday afternoon; the hosts will be without their Scotland contingent while the visitors could have their Italian internationals back.

The team that finishes fourth will have to play the waiting game to see if they will make the Champions Cup in 2021/22, with European chiefs yet to decide how big the premier tournament is.

The long and short of it is that the Dragons need to score more match points than Glasgow but here's what the Dragons need to happen if they are to stand a chance of mixing it with the heavyweights...

South Wales Argus:

SCENARIO A – Glasgow lose to Benetton

If the Warriors are stunned by the Italians then the Dragons are really in business.

A Glasgow defeat without a consolation would leave the Dragons needing a solitary point. If the Warriors get a bonus then the Dragons need two, if the Warriors get two then the Dragons would need to draw with a try bonus or win.

SCENARIO B – Glasgow draw with Benetton

Any win would be enough for the Dragons.

If the Warriors drew without a bonus then the Dragons would climb above them if they shared the spoils with Edinburgh while crossing four times.

SCENARIO C – Glasgow win without a bonus

This is where the failure to leave Cardiff with anything could hit the Warriors. A four-point haul would give the Dragons a shot at pipping them with a bonus-point success against Edinburgh.

SCENARIO D – Glasgow win with a bonus

Remarkably, the Dragons’ fate would still be in their own hands but it would need a miracle.

If the Warriors win with a bonus then the Dragons need to do likewise but also enjoy a winning margin that is 25 points better than their rivals to pip them on points difference.

If the Dragons’ winning margin was 24 points better then it would be settled by try count… and if that was level then it’s points scored, then try difference.