BOSS Dai Flanagan believes the Dragons’ late show against Oyonnax has given them the opportunity to go ‘full-out attack’ against Pau’s superstars.

The Rodney Parade club got their European Challenge Cup campaign off to a perfect start in Newport by turning around a 7-0 half-time deficit.

Wing Ashton Hewitt crossed early in the second half and then lock Joe Davies barged over in the 75th minute, followed by Wales speedster Rio Dyer’s double.

The Dragons bagged a maximum haul – their first in Europe since thrashing Enisei-STM in January 2020 – and now travel to face a Pau side who are fourth in the Top 14.

They are likely to bring back their big guns after taking a second string to South Africa where they lost 45-5.

Pau have won all of their Top 14 games at the Stade de Hameau this season, beating Racing 92 (19-17), Lyon (40-10), Toulouse (13-9), Bordeaux-Begles (20-11) and Stade Francais (30-6).

“You can’t underestimate five points in Europe, we didn’t get a bonus-point win last season, and it’s pleasing to have won two on the bounce at Rodney Parade,” said Flanagan, whose side also beat the Ospreys.

“We’ve got a win on the board ahead of an away game in France against a team who are absolutely flying in the Top 14.

South Wales Argus: STAR: All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock has signed for PauSTAR: All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock has signed for Pau (Image: Press Association)

“They are full of superstars in their team with Dan Robson at 9, Joe Simmonds at 10, Luke Whitelock at 8 and I am sure his brother Sam will make his debut against us.

“We’ve got a tough task but what is great for us now is that we can go full-out attack there. I want our boys to take belief from that, specifically the last play when we got Dane Blacker running into space, feeding into the outside backs.”

The Dragons prop up the United Rugby Championship and went into the Oyonnax game after a pair of heavy losses in South Africa.

Their start to the season showed at times but Flanagan was thrilled to see his players dig deep for their second win of the campaign.

South Wales Argus: The Dragons celebrate their bonus score against OyonnaxThe Dragons celebrate their bonus score against Oyonnax (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“The pleasing thing was how we stuck at it. We were full of error but in the right area of the pitch, which is a change for us,” he said.

“Our first-half performance [into the wind] was the positive of the evening. We defended our goal line superbly, we were disciplined and kept the ball when we had the opportunity.

“We can be a bit smarter with the way we kicked, we put a lot of pressure on Will Reed by throwing it back 10 metres to kick 15, but that’s education for a young man and it’s my job to help them.”

Centre Sio Tomkinson looks likely to miss the festive derbies after going off with what was initially feared to be a dislocated left shoulder but looks like a neck/shoulder stinger.

That led to Wales Under-20s international Harri Ackerman making his Dragons debut with captain Steff Hughes, Aneurin Owen and Jack Dixon the other options, while Max Clark could be recalled from his loan at Cardiff if needed.