NEWPORT Gwent Dragons' much-improved set piece has been one of the plus points in a chastening season but their tight five face the ultimate test in Paris this evening.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones expects Stade Francais to head into tonight's European Rugby Challenge Cup opener with intentions of going on the run, freed from the shackles of the brutal Top 14.

But that won't happen before they look after the nitty gritty.

The Dragons may have done pretty well up front against Connacht, the Ospreys, Glasgow, Treviso, the Scarlets and Edinburgh but a powerful French side is a step up.

"It's going to be a brilliant test for us as a pack, the biggest yet, because the French are renowned for their mauling and scrumming," said tighthead prop Lloyd Fairbrother.

"They've got big ball carriers and dangerous backs but I think they will try and take us on up front first. They have a big, heavy pack and I am sure it will be a huge challenge.

"We haven't looked too much at personnel because they have such a big squad with quality players throughout and it doesn't matter who they pick."

The 22-year-old, who is qualified for Wales through his mum from Blaenavon, headed to Rodney Parade from Exeter Chiefs in the summer and has played his part in the Dragons making strides up front.

While they aren't exactly bully boys, they are no longer shoved around the paddock with ease; for it even to be a debate about who had the better of the set piece shows the progress.

"Compared to last year we've done pretty well," said Fairbrother. "We haven't got too much reward yet but I think they'll come.

"It was an area that teams would attack the boys in last year but we've worked hard in pre-season and fronted up. It takes time to build trust and we are going to keep on building."

Fairbrother has had his good moments but also his bad and was shown yellow cards for scrummaging offences against both the Ospreys and Glasgow.

It was always going to be a steep learning curve for someone who was playing for Plymouth Albion last season and is

a pup in propping years.

He said: "It hasn't been the best start for me and I have realised what a big step up it is from the Championship but I have enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

"I want to show what I can do tonight by scrumming well and not going down and getting yellow-carded. No tighthead wants to go back and there's a always a lot of cheating and the old boys are experienced at it, but I've wised up a lot already."

And making his European bow at the Stade Jean Bouin is sure to be another valuable step in his education of the dark arts.