NEWPORT Gwent Dragons forwards coach Ceri Jones expects to face a fully-loaded, fully-focused Brive at Rodney Parade tomorrow evening.

The Dragons open their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign with a side that sit seventh in the Top 14 after a promising first block that has seen them stun Toulon away and record home victories against French champions Racing 92, Stade Francais and La Rochelle.

The Rodney Parade side have an excellent recent record against opponents from across the English Channel with home successes against Stade, Bordeaux-Begles, Pau and Castres.

If they are to add to that list then they will need to produce a big performance against a Brive side who are unlikely to mirror many of their French rivals by ringing the changes for the second tier competition.

Stade's big budget means that they didn't even register the likes of Sergio Parisse, Pascale Pape and Jules Plisson for Europe but this weekend's visitors won't take a hammer to the side that has started the Top 14 strongly.

South African number eight Petrus Haumann is set to continue leading the side, France international and defensive captain Arnaud Mignardi should slot into midfield, USA speedster Takudzwa Ngwenya was registered for Europe yesterday while Fijians Sisa Koyamaibole, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Benito Masilevu, Sevanaia Galala and Seremaia Burotu are all tipped to be included when the teams are named at midday.

"Sometimes really big teams almost have a European squad and they put a different team in to play away and we've all seen them not turn up. Brive are not one of those teams," said former prop Jones.

"They haven't got that big a squad and a lot of their players are playing week in, week out. They are right in the middle of the Top 14 and are doing well, so it's a serious side coming here and it's going to be a big challenge.

"We are preparing properly for it and expect their big name players to turn up."

The Dragons have made the Challenge Cup semi-finals in the last two campaigns while Jones won the tournament twice as a player with Harlequins in 2004 and 2011.

After a frustrating start to the Guinness Pro12, they hope to enjoy a morale-boosting win against Brive and an away success against Enisei in Russia a week on Saturday to set up their December double-header with Worcester.

"We've got a good record in Europe and want to keep that going, hopefully that will kick-start us for the league as well," said Jones.

"There's an exciting couple of weeks coming up with the Ospreys after we go away to Russia, which will be an interesting trip and a good experience.

"I was fortunate to win the tournament twice with Quins. I've got really good memories of the competition and it gives everyone a fresh lease of life to an extent.

"You are going away to play different opposition to the sorts of teams you play week in, week out in the league. We are excited by it."