DIRECTOR of rugby Lyn Jones has called on Newport Gwent Dragons to be brave enough to chance their arm in a cagey European quarter-final against Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

The rivals' Challenge Cup clash at Rodney Parade (kick-off 12.45pm) is the first European Welsh derby since Llanelli beat Cardiff in 2000.

The stakes are high with both teams attempting to salvage disappointing seasons by making it to the final at the Twickenham Stoop on May 1.

A tense tactical battle is in the offing with the Dragons attempting to follow the blueprint of their Guinness Pro12 success in the capital when they put boot to ball when in their own half before putting the squeeze on at the breakdown and with their well-drilled driving lineout.

But Jones says that his charges must not go into their shells in the pressure atmosphere of an extra special derby.

"I've no doubt that both sides will go out to play rugby, because you can't close games off for 79 minutes as you could 30 years ago and play with no ambition," he said. "You have to play with expanse and attitude to play.

"But having said that, 100 per cent goal-kicking and low penalty and error counts are the statistics that give you wins.

"The two matches over the Christmas period there were very few line breaks and defences were really up for it. We know each others' games inside out and close situations off very quickly.

"It's about the team that's brave to execute Plan B as quickly as they can."

The Dragons have thrived with their attacking driving lineout all season and marched the Blues backwards at a rate of knots in their 23-17 win at the Arms Park on Boxing Day.

Jones, however, says their 32-17 bonus point win in Treviso last weekend shows that his charges have more strings to their bow.

"I've no doubt that the Blues will come with a heavy pack and will try and dominate us there," he said. "Dale (McIntosh, forwards coach) has talked about taking our maul away from us but we didn't use it last week and scored four tries, all from backline players. We can adapt to any style we want."

Nonetheless, Jones is quick to admit that the blood and thunder of a clash with neighbours at Rodney Parade is a world away from the fixture at the Stadio Monigo.

"These derbies are extra intense and 10 per cent more physical. They are big games and big games deserve big players," he said.

"These games are testing for individuals, they are one-offs. We are not in the league, we are in European competition.

"We beat them on Boxing Day at the Arms Park and they caught us on the rebound with our pants down so we want to make sure we have learnt our lessons."