Gwyn Jones
Former Wales captain on S4C

That was perfection from the maul. Dragons didn't take the points and now they're so close to the try line.

They've really pressured Newcastle so far.

Another penalty follows and again, Angus O'Brien sets up a lineout chance.

Aaron Wainwright takes it safely but the attack ends when Tinus de Beer opts to chip ahead. Back for yet another Dragons penalty though, and again, O'Brien goes for the corner.

More positive play from Dragons as Angus O'Brien makes a midfield break and this time, it's the hosts given the penalty.

They opt against the chance of three points though, and the number 15 picks himself up and boots his side into the corner...

Rhys Priestland
Wales international fly-half on S4C

Fair play to the Dragons, they've shown that they're here to play early today.

A rolling maul from the line-out gets the Dragons into the 22 before they threaten out wide through Angus O'Brien.

However, the Newcastle defence stands firm and the visitors win the penalty at the breakdown.

First chance for Dragons to attack with a scrum just short of halfway but Tinus de Beer opts instead to clear downfield.

A game of kick-tennis follows before Newcastle full back Elliot Obatoyinbo decides he's had enough of that nonsense and finds touch.

Ethan Grayson gets us under way on what is a cold and clear night at Rodney Parade.

The last time these sides met? It was in this very competition back in December 2024, which Dragons won 22-14.

'Go on lightning, please strike twice' says every Dragons fan right now.

Ifan Phillips
Former Scarlets and Ospreys hooker on S4C

Dragon's need to win and that's easier said than done especially with the form Newcastle are on.

Image source, Getty Images

We mentioned Stephen Jones and the way the Newcastle attack coach has been talking this week, he's in no mood for sentiment upon his return to Wales.

"The fact that we already have a home tie in the round of 16 is irrelevant, because we know that home advantage in the later rounds is huge if we are able to go deeper into the competition," Jones said.

"Securing a higher seeding from the group stage gives us the best possible chance of achieving that, but it's also about maintaining our momentum.

"The Challenge Cup has been a great driver for us and I see it as a really important tournament, so we're fully committed to it."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Dragons making the knockout stages would not only go a long way to banishing the Benetton debacle, but provide a much needed feel-good factor to Welsh rugby with the future of the professional game currently marred by uncertainty.

And this week, Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia has insisted his side are hell-bent on progressing.

"We want to make the last 16 and we know when we're at home we need to front up for the fans - all the players wearing the jersey all know the expectations," he said.

"We need to do justice to the jersey and then try and wear it for another week. That is earned, not given.

"I can't wait for the players to get amongst it. After the disappointment against Benetton, it's good to get back on the horse and get stuck in."

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

Hopefully they (Dragons) can get through.

I know it's only the Challenge Cup but there's nothing worse, when come February, and you've got nothing to play for.

You realise you can't make top eight (in the United Rugby Championship) and you can't go anywhere in Europe. So we need as many regions through as possible.

Image source, BBC Sport

Regardless of the result tonight, Dragons players don't quite have their fate in their own hands.

A win of any kind will take them third above Perpignan and Lions, who meet tomorrow evening. Victory over Newcastle without a bonus point could still see them eliminated if their group rivals manage to draw in Johannesburg.

Even a bonus point won't quite guarantee it - Dragons would fall short in the unlikely event of Perpignan and Lions both scoring four tries in a tie.

So basically, a home win tonight and they're ok, providing the rugby Gods don't decide to throw up a cruel draw in South Africa.

Red Bulls, bottom of The Prem but flying in Europe, have secured a top two finish, one point behind leaders Perpignan. Victory would force the Italian side to respond in kind at Lyon on Sunday.

Chris Kirwan
BBC Sport Wales at Rodney Parade

World champion boxer Lauren Price is guest of honour here at Rodney Parade tonight and Dragons supporters will hope their side don't suffer a KO.

Fans are in the unfamiliar position of heading to the ground with optimism and expectation despite last weekend's hammering in Treviso.

Dragons have performed strongly here all season, with the performance against Cardiff the only blip, and they are hunting a fourth straight win in Newport after successes against Lyon, Connacht and Scarlets.

This is a wonderful old ground when the supporters are involved and it's up to Tiatia's side to start strongly against a Newcastle team who don't tend to travel well.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have already secured their place in the last 16, but head coach Alan Dickens has avoided taking his foot off the pedal as his side bid to not only top the group, but maintain their unbeaten record in Europe this season.

There are three changes to the line-up that beat Perpignan 26-19, with Freddie Lockwood back from a broken hand to pack down at six, lock Jamie Hodgson returning from suspension and centre Cameron Hutchison named in place of the injured Oli Spencer.

There will also be a very familiar face sitting alongside the replacements on the bench. Former Wales outside half Stephen Jones is part of the coaching staff at the Red Bulls, having joined from Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika last November.

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Wade, Arnold, Hutchison, Hearle; Grayson, Benitez Cruz; McCallum, McGuigan (capt), Palframan; Usher, Hodgson; Lockwood, Christie, Gordon.

Replacements: Fletcher, Brocklebank, De Bruin, Baker, Parsons, J Elliott, Beeckmans, Greenwood.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Filo Tiatia received some criticism for opting to name a weakened side in Treviso, citing the six day turnaround between games. There's no messing tonight though, with Aaron Wainwright one of 11 changes to the side hammered last week.

Loose-head prop Wyn Jones and open-side flanker Thomas Young have both been recalled, while hooker Brodie Coghlan starts a game for the first time since suffering a hand injury on his Wales debut in the autumn.

Lock Ben Carter, full-back Angus O'Brien, centres Aneurin Owen and Fine Inisi and scrum-half Che Hope are amongst others to return, with Ryan Woodman, who moves to lock from blind-side flanker, fly-half Tinus de Beer and wings Rio Dyer and David Richards the four survivors from the XV that started in Benetton.

I said last week that only at the final whistle tonight will we know if Tiatia's Italian gamble was a shrewd decision or an irrational gamble.

Dragons: O'Brien (co-capt); Richards, Inisi, Owen, Dyer; De Beer, Hope; W Jones, Coghlan, Hunt; Woodman, Carter (co-capt); Keddie, Young, Wainwright.

Replacements: G Roberts, Martinez, Dlamini, Douglas, Lewis-Hughes, R Williams, Ackerman, C Evans.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

For the first time since New Year's Day, welcome to Rodney Parade.

Sure enough, the mood has now changed at Dragons since they kicked off 2026 with that resounding win over Scarlets.

Filo Tiatia's side went to Benetton last Saturday on the back of a festive period to remember after the dramatic comeback win over Lyon, the hammering of Connacht, a narrow bonus point defeat in Cardiff and putting their rivals from west Wales to the sword.

Nothing like a chaotic 74-21 defeat in Italy to being players and fans back down to earth then.

It was a result that brought scrutiny on Tiatia after he opted to leave nine first-team regulars out of 15 but regardless, the equation for his side tonight now is simple.

Win, and they are all but through to the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup. Lose, and the adventure is over.

The good news for Dragons is right now for the Gwent side, there's no place like home. It's now three successive wins here and home fans have not witnessed defeat since the loss to Leinster on 28 November.

So, at the start of a weekend which could see all four Welsh sides secure knockout rugby in Europe, let's look at the teams.