BUCHAREST boss Lynn Howells is confident that Newport Gwent Dragons will be confronted by a slicker Wolves side in Friday's clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Dragons ran out 37-10 winners in freezing conditions in Romania last weekend to give themselves a golden shot at qualifying for the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

The margin of victory makes it look like the region enjoyed a comfortable, if cold, afternoon but that was certainly not the case at Ghencea Stadium.

Bucharest posed plenty of problems with their tight game and led 10-0 in the early stages after getting joy with their pick-and-drive approach.

The Wolves team comprises of players from clubs in the Romanian leagues and presents a chance for domestic talent to push their case for selection to go up against Ireland, France, Italy and Canada at next year's World Cup.

Former Pontypridd and Celtic Warriors coach Howells hopes his charges will benefit from their hit-out.

He said: "The Dragons have have been playing regular rugby while the last time our boys had played was their game against Stade Francais (on October 25).

"It was almost like a pre-season game and hopefully there will be a big improvement by the time we come to Newport.

"It is part of the learning curve and we have to play against teams like the Dragons, it's important to see the young players playing and Romanian coaches coaching at a higher level."

Bucharest are a tough nut to crack on their own turf but don't fare as well on their travels.

They lost 66-10 at Rodney Parade in 2006 with full-back Kevin Morgan (2), wings Aled Brew and Richard Fussell, centre Nathan Brew (2), scrum-half Gareth Cooper, prop Adam Black, lock Ian Gough and back row forward Colin Charvis scoring tries.

If the Wolves are to avoid another one-sided affair then it will be down to their well-drilled pack to get the upper hand.

Howells said: "The Dragons fans will see what we did in the first 30 minutes but more of it. We will be physical because it's the only way that we can play.

"In the first half on Saturday we kept the ball for long periods and we played in the right areas of the field but we lost shape and that has to be down to the Dragons, who were by far the stronger team.

"They had the ability to break the defence, what we have to do is make sure it is stronger.

There was nothing wrong with our set piece but we need to keep hold of the ball."

Unbeaten Pool Three leaders Newcastle take on Stade Francais in Paris tomorrow evening.