THE Dragons know Northampton’s nightmare European opener is no indication of how tough it will be in tonight’s crunch Challenge Cup clash at Rodney Parade.

The rivals meet in Newport (kick-off 7.30pm) in a game that is likely to have a big say in who heads into the final rounds with hope of qualification from Pool One.

The Dragons got off to a flying start, albeit an expected one, when they hammered Timisoara Saracens 54-17 in Romania, while the Saints were hammered 40-21 by Clermont Auvergne at Franklin’s Gardens.

The French giants, who lead the Top 14, are favourites to top the group and if they achieve that then it will leave Bernard Jackman’s men and Northampton scrambling for the runners-up position and a potential spot in the last eight.

With the Saints lying ninth in the English Premiership, just three points from bottom, a poor night in Newport could lead to them writing off Europe to concentrate on avoiding a relegation dogfight.

However, a win would leave them in the box seat ahead of the meeting in the East Midlands on December 8.

Only a pair of late Saints tries made the score look respectable last weekend but the Dragons aren’t being lulled into a false sense of security.

“Northampton had a difficult game against Clermont, but Clermont are a world-class team,” said Dragons defence coach Hendre Marnitz.

“Clermont, for us, is not an indicator of where Northampton are. No team has been able to cope with them in France, they have steamrollered people and even picked up away wins.

“That shows where they are as a squad, they could pick three teams that could compete in the Top 14, so Northampton were up against a very good team.”

The teams have met six times in the Anglo-Welsh Cup with the Dragons’ sole triumph in 2006 when Ceri Sweeney outshone former All Black Carlos Spencer in Newport.

The Saints also visited Rodney Parade for a friendly in August and triumphed 42-10, running away with things in the second half thanks to their well-drilled driving lineout.

“Northampton have a powerful game and maul well, so we have to be physically up for it as well as mentally,” said Marnitz.

“They have come off a loss and they will be keen to fix things.

“We have got to be ready for that challenge.”

The Dragons face a pair of tough trips in December with Clermont the weekend after the visit to Franklin’s Gardens.

The French side should be on 15 points and the brink of qualification by then, courtesy of back-to-back fixtures with Timisoara.

The group whipping boys head to the Stade Marcel Michelin tomorrow afternoon.