Dragons boss Lyn Jones: We're in a hole but have the spirit to clamber out

The region were downed 24-10 by Edinburgh at Murrayfield at the weekend, their fifth defeat from six Guinness Pro12 games.

The league now takes a fortnight break for European action and on Saturday evening the Dragons face a daunting task at Stade Francais.

The Parisians continued their impressive start to the Top 14 when they beat city rivals Racing Metro last weekend and, as long as they don't see it as an unwelcome distraction from domestic targets, will be among the favourites to lift the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Jones knows that his side are huge underdogs but, following shocking displays against the Scarlets and Edinburgh, believes a strong performance can help spark their season into life.

"Our confidence is at rock bottom but we have to believe that we can get out of this, roll our sleeves up and work even harder," said Jones.

"Stade Francais are one of the top 10 teams in Europe and it's fair to say that our chances of winning are slim but we need a good performance at least.

"We can't focus on results, we have to focus on raising our performance levels as individuals and as a group.

"When you are in a hole, as we are at the minute, the only way out is through hard work and showing true spirit.

"You get to meet the real people when in a position like this and I was looking at the boys after the game and they are strong and believe they can turn this around."

The Dragons plight isn't helped by a lengthy injury list in midfield and the second row.

Centre Ashley Smith and lock Rynard Landman were both forced off after blows to the head at Murrayfield and will both be monitored this week to see if they can feature at the Stade Jean Bouin.

The Dragons are already without Pat Leach (knee), Tyler Morgan (knee), Jack Dixon (wrist) and Ross Wardle (knee) in midfield while locks Cory Hill (ankle), Matthew Screech (shoulder), Ian Gough (shoulder) and Joe Davies (shoulder) are sidelined.