FEW are giving Newport Gwent Dragons any hope in their European Rugby Challenge Cup opener in Paris tomorrow evening but Richie Rees knows from experience that underdogs can win in France.

The 31-year-old scrum-half is set to start against Stade Francais (kick-off 7.45pm) and is hoping for another memorable success across the Channel.

Rees enjoyed one of his career highlights when Cardiff Blues lifted the Amlin Challenge Cup by upsetting the odds against Toulon in 2010.

There's no silverware up for grabs tomorrow evening but the Dragons will need to adopt the same mindset as their regional rivals did in front of a partisan crowd at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

"It was a great experience," said Rees. "It doesn't get much better than winning a European title in France against a French team.

"They had superstars in their team, just like Stade Francais will have, so I know from experience there is nothing to fear, just go out to play your own game and enjoy it.

"We were underdogs against Toulon, they had Tana Umaga, Sonny Bill Williams, Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Van Niekerk and an amazing squad but we came away with the victory."

Stade Francais have made a super start to the Top 14 and, given that winning the Challenge Cup does not provide a route to the Champions Cup, have prioritised domestic success.

They have left a number of their stellar names out of their European squad but still boast a wealth of talent; only in France could first-choice fly-half Jules Plisson be replaced by South African ace Morne Steyn.

"Stade Francais are flying in the Top 14 and with the money that they've got have real strength in depth," said Rees.

"I am not sure what their side will be or what their priorities are but we have just focused on ourselves a bit more rather than overanalysing the opposition as perhaps we have done so far this season."

The Dragons have made a nightmare start to the Guinness Pro12 with five defeats out of six but Rees is hopeful that a change of competition can spark their season into life.

"It's exciting," said Rees. "There's no better stage than Paris on a Saturday night playing against one of the biggest sides in Europe. It's up to you as a player to go out and prove you belong on that level.

"Yes, we have had injuries but we should still be performing better than we have been and it's time for us to put that right. No excuses."