THE Dragons have brought back their Wales stars in a bid to put one foot in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup with victory against Newcastle at Rodney Parade this evening.

The Falcons head to Newport (kick-off 7.30pm) in command of Pool One thanks to three wins from three.

However, the Dragons can leapfrog them into top spot with victory and a positive result would mean one win from their January double-header with Bordeaux-Begles is likely to be enough for at least one of the three best runners-up spots in the quarter-finals.

The Rodney Parade region were forced to settle for a bonus point when edged out 32-27 in the north east of England in October but took nine points from two encounters with spirited Russian side Enisei-STM.

It means that Bernard Jackman's men are in with a shot of knockout European rugby for the third time in four years – and the head coach has brought back big guns Cory Hill, Hallam Amos and Elliot Dee.

"It should be a cracker because both teams want to play attacking rugby. We know that if we can get a win we are in a really good position in this group, which is exciting," said the head coach.

"We know that if we have to go to Bordeaux and beat them to qualify we can do that, but we can put ourselves in a really strong position tonight."

The Dragons face a trio of Guinness PRO14 derbies after this weekend with Newport clashes against Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day and the Ospreys on New Year's Eve before a trip west to the Scarlets.

Jackman is keen to use the Falcons fixture as a springboard for success – and to ensure that Rodney Parade is rocking at the end of 2017.

"We want to be unbeaten for the rest of the season at Rodney Parade," said the head coach, whose side have won four, drawn one and lost one on home soil.

"We are looking to put a big performance in this weekend to lead into the derbies and for us it's about the product on the pitch, which the supporters haven't had for quite a while.

"We are in control of that so if we get a win and a big performance, the goodwill and following is better than any marketing campaign.

"We are looking forward to the next three games and showing the fans that we deserve their respect, following and their hard-earned cash."

But Jackman knows it won't be easy against a Newcastle side that have taken 14 points from a possible 15 with a double-header against Enisei to come.

"They are probably one of the most dynamic teams in the Aviva Premiership," said the Dragons boss. "Dave Walder has really made a name for himself as an outstanding attack coach.

"They play a multi-phase game, their forwards are very comfortable on the ball, they play with two first receivers and they have a lot of pace, so it's a game that defensively we have to be switched on in.

"Newcastle want to get out of this group, Dean told me that when we were up there, so if we beat them it's a good scalp."