Paul and Co will grin and bare the bear pit

Apr 15 2007 Simon Roberts, Wales on Sunday

PAUL TURNER knows the Dragons will be massive underdogs when they travel to the bear pit of French rugby.

But the Dragons coach, whose side were written off by everybody this season, wouldn't have it any other way.

The Dragons revel in being the underdog and have made an art of proving people wrong all campaign.

Clermont Auvergne will be favourites to reach the European Challenge Cup final in their own backyard next weekend.

And Turner has warned his Dragons side to expect a rugby assault based on power and flair in France.

"Wherever you go in France you know massive pressure is going to come," said Turner.

"That could be for 10 minutes or for the entire game. Northampton proved if you get structures right and defend well, don't make them too angry, you can pinch it at the end.

"But Northampton's wage bill is still bigger than ours and they have international players across the side. We know our international players have to play like internationals. My owner always says we have 11 internationals - well now they have to prove it.

"That's the theme for this week because we know it's going to be bear pit, but this is why we play the game."

Turner does strike a note of caution about the Dragons faithful getting carried away with their success in Europe.

He has seen Ian Gough, an icon at Rodney Parade, and Gareth Cooper and Nathan Brew all decide to move to pastures new at the end of the season.

The Dragons targeted a quarter-final place in Europe at the start of the season so this term has already been a success.

Even so, the coach has had his budget for new players frozen while the Heineken Cup dispute, involving the English and French clubs, drags on.

"I have won this competition before, with Harlequins, and they took their eye off the ball, didn't recruit and were relegated the following season," said Turner. "Whatever we do this season, the summer recruitment is crucial for us.

"We have lost Gough, Cooper and Brew but at least that meant there was a bit of money to spend. Now, until Europe is sorted out, nothing is happening. If the European Cup is gone for a season, you don't sit still and do nothing because when it starts up again you will be further behind the pack.

"We are a lot better than we were last year but so is everybody else. My job is to make people aware that we could have problems further down the line if we don't recruit."

Turner has worked minor miracles at Rodney Parade for the last two seasons. His ability to wheel and deal in the market place has been the making of the Dragons.

Colin Charvis, Aled Brew and Paul Emerick are prime examples of that. You can sense his frustration that he cannot put a long-term plan together.

"Sale and Wasps won the shield, then recruited wisely, and Wasps then won the Heineken Cup," said Turner.

You sense it is his ambition that is keeping the Dragons going.