CAPTAIN Lee Byrne says it would be "unacceptable" if Newport Gwent Dragons waste their stunning away win against Stade Francais by losing to Newcastle at Rodney Parade on Friday.

The Dragons upset the odds to triumph in their European Rugby Challenge Cup opener at Stade Jean Bouin, running in four tries in a 38-22 success against the competition favourites.

It was a performance that contrasted starkly to their error-strewn start to the Guinness Pro12 and has prompted hopes that their season will spark into life.

But they will have to produce another strong display if they are to make it two from two against a Falcons side that are searching for their fourth win on the spin on Friday.

"It was all down to heart and now we have to back it up against Newcastle back at Rodney Parade to make sure it's a turning point," said the full-back.

"Winning away at Stade and then losing against Newcastle at home would be unacceptable."

The French side may have left out a number of big guns but that does not take the shine off a marvellous display by the Dragons, who fought back from 12-3 down despite a spell down to 14 men following prop Boris Stankovich's yellow card for a high tackle.

They also had wing Tom Prydie playing centre and James Thomas, who is more comfortable in the back row, making his European debut at lock after Andrew Coombs' early departure with a knee injury.

Byrne paid tribute to his charges for showing great character in the French capital.

"It's been six or seven weeks of being under pressure and against Stade it finally clicked," said the full-back. "I never won there with Clermont and nights like that don't happen very often.

"The start of the season has been difficult and nobody gave us a hope in hell of getting anything in Paris but we put in a big performance.

"I am really pleased for the team and the coaching staff because we've come under a lot of pressure, and rightly so because the performances haven't been as good as we know they can be.

"We turned it around and the spirit shone through. We have been training hard and things hadn't been coming off for us, but they did against Stade.

"I am so pleased for the boys and this can turn things around for us, not just in this competition but in the Pro12 as well."