THE Dragons set up their clashes with European heavyweights by getting the job done professionally with a 54-17 win against Timisoara Saracens in Romania.

The Rodney Parade region’s hopes of qualifying from a daunting Challenge Cup pool featuring French big guns Clermont Auvergne and powerful English outfit Northampton required a bonus-point win at the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium.

They overcame a spirited Saracens opening to achieve that with first half tries by hooker Elliot Dee (2), tighthead Leon Brown and wing Dafydd Howells establishing a 26-10 lead.

Further scores came after the break from lock Lewis Evans, flanker Ollie Griffiths and scrum-half Rhodri Davies, along with a penalty try.

Now the Dragons can turn their attention to the Saints with a swift turnaround to Friday’s Rodney Parade meeting after a lengthy return journey from western Romania.

When fulfilling their midweek media duties, the Dragons spoke about not taking their hosts lightly yet they knew that five points was essential to stand any chance of repeating their 2007, 2015 and 2016 trips to the knockout stages.

They bagged the bonus in in Romania four years ago when they triumphed in freezing Bucharest, although they had to overcome a spirited start by the Wolves in crisp conditions.

History repeated, Luke Samoa featured in that clash and the full-back was first to strike in Timisoara when he banged over a penalty after three minutes.

However, the Dragons were over for their first try after nine minutes when the forwards ticked off one of their main targets – to score from a driving lineout after failing to get it going so far this season.

Captain Dee ordered a penalty to be kicked to the corner and the Wales hooker then guided the maul over for a score that fly-half Josh Lewis converted.

The Dragons wanted to keep the game at high tempo, running the Romanians around, yet their loose play allowed their hosts to edge back in front when centre Jack Umaga finished off a breakaway.

Samoa added the extras for a 10-7 lead entering the second quarter but then pushed another penalty attempt wide.

But the Dragons stayed calm and ensured that not only did they have a healthy lead going back to their changing room but a bonus point.

First prop Brown powered over from close range, Lewis converting, and then Dee repeated the driving lineout trick to make it 19-10 after 38 minutes.

The Dragons weren’t content with that and a break from deep inside his own territory by Wales centre Tyler Morgan led to wing Howells racing over, Lewis adding another two points for a 26-10 lead.

The visitors picked up where they left off and pressed at the start of the second half to eventually get their reward through stalwart Lewis Evans, who after 213 games in the back row was starting at lock for the first time and powered over for a converted try.

Timisoara made it 33-17 approaching the hour when Romania wing Marius Simionescu intercepted and raced over for a score that Samoa converted.

But the Sarries’ hopes of a flying finish were swiftly dented when lock Valentin Poparlan was yellow-carded by French referee Pierre Brousset, whose patience had been tested and soon went under the posts to award a penalty try.

Number seven soon arrived with flanker Ollie Griffiths, who will hope to be named in the Wales squad for the autumn on Tuesday, powering over and Lewis converting.

There was still time to bring up the half-century with replacement full-back Will Talbot-Davies setting up debutant Rhodri Davies.

Banana skin avoided, the Dragons now face Northampton home then away before a December date with Clermont.

Timisoara Saracens: L Samoa, D Vladut Zaharia, F Popa, J Umaga, C Fercu, J Rose, G Conache, S Taupaki, E Capatina, M Doge, M Stewart, I Muresan, V Neculau, V Rus (captain), R Morrison.
Replacements: A Radoi, S Halalilo, S Maris , M Iftimiciuc, G Tatarus, V Poparlan, S Shennan, M Simionescu,
Scorers: tries – J Umaga, M Simionescu; conversion – L Samoa; penalty – L Samoa

Dragons: Z Kirchner (W Talbot-Davies 56), D Howells, T Morgan, J Sage, A Warren (J Williams 51), J Lewis, T Knoyle (R Davies 51), B Harris (A Jarvis 53), E Dee (R Lawrence 68), L Brown (L Fairbrother 53), M Screech (C Hill 62), L Evans, O Griffiths, N Cudd, R Moriarty (H Taylor 51).
Scorers: tries – E Dee (2), L Brown, D Howells, L Evans, penalty try, O Griffiths, R Davies; conversions – J Lewis (6)

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)