NEWPORT Gwent Dragons’ place in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup was cemented by results going their way today.

The Dragons put themselves on the brink of the last eight with their bonus point victory against Castres at Rodney Parade on Friday evening.

That took their points tally to 20 with their fixture at second-placed Sale Sharks to come on Thursday and that total can no longer be eclipsed by two of the groups in the race for three best runners-up spots.

Their result meant that they couldn’t be overtaken by Zebre, Worcester or La Rochelle in the pool won with ease by champions Gloucester.

Newcastle’s shock loss to Russian club Enisei meant it would have taken a freak set of results to deny the Dragons – the first of which needed to be Brive beating Connacht with the Irish province bagging a pair of losing bonus points.

However, Connacht were downed 21-18, securing a last eight place for Lyn Jones' men.

The Dragons still have plenty to play for in Salford on Thursday – victory will earn Pool Two top spot and a home quarter-final.