Red Bulls set for Newport

Friday night sees Newcastle Red Bulls head to Newport to take on the Dragons at Rodney Parade in the final game of the pool stages of the European Challenge Cup.

Dragons need a result

Dragons are much changed from their disappointing 74-21 loss at Benetton last Saturday night. That result means that Dragons know a win morealess takes them through to the knock out stages and a bonus point win looks to guarantee that.

They've made changes to their line up and will be desperate for a home victory in what has been an improved season for them despite all the turmoil in Welsh rugby. Dragons have the electric pace of Rio Dyer on the wing. The battle I'm most looking forward to is the back row. Dragons have named Thomas Young, Harri Keddie and Aaron Wainwright. Thomas Young was excellent for Wasps when they were at their peak before they disappeared. Aaron Waiwright is a tough international number eight who won't take a backwards step.

There's some size on the bench with Levi Douglas and Shane Lewis-Hughes is no mug coming on in the back row. Dragons will feel like they owe the Rodney Parade faithful something after last week.

Lockwood reurns for Red Bulls

There's three changes for Red Bulls this week, I'm pleased they've gone strong for this one. The front row of Murray McCallum, George McGuigan and Richard Palframan continue. The second row sees Oscar Usher and Jamie Hodgson form a familair partnership. The back row sees Tom Gordon move to blindside, Tom Christie who is made for a Friday night in Newport continues at openside and there's a welcome return for Freddie Lockwood at number eight.

In the backs Simon Benitez Cruz and Ethan Grayson continue at half back, Cam Hutchinson comes into inside centre with Sammy Arnold moving to outside centre. Alex Hearle moves to the wing with Christian Wade and Elliott Obatoyinbo is at full back.

On the bench Ollie Fletcher, Adam Brocklebank and Luan de Bruin cover the front row. Finn Baker continues to cover the second row, there's a chance for Reuben Parsons to show what he's got covering the back row. James Elliott covers scrum half, Rhys Beeckmans is another youngster with a chance from the bench and Nathan Greenwood completes the bench.

Where will this be won

Red Bulls have shown over the last couple of weeks that they can physically beat teams and I expect that approach to be no different in Newport tomorrow. A Welsh crowd with an English team in town will be well up for it, what Red Bulls are going to have to start getting used to is some of the niceties will start wearing away. You already see some comments from other supporters about money etc, it's starting to happen and will happen more where they were everyone's second favourite team to being a threat and the enemy.

I think the maul has shown that it's a more than dangerous enough weapon to trouble most teams, the lineout has improved massively from the beginning of the season too. When given the chance I want to see the backs do what they've shown promising signs of doing and looking to exploit the wide channels.

The big thing I want to see is the bench have an impact and keep momentum going, that's the one thing that is lacking at the moment.

Red Bulls to win and put pressure on

I think Red Bulls will win this one and by being the Friday game it means they can get to eighteen points with a bonus point. That puts pressure on Benetton as they face a tricky trip to Lyon on Sunday, a lot depends on the side Lyon put out there. A bonus point win guarantees at least a fourth seed place which should see a home last sixteen and quarter final game. Other games to keep an eye on are Montpellier who currently top Pool 1 but face a tricky trip to Ospreys on Saturday. If Red Bulls win and win the group and Montpellier lose that can boost Red Bulls seeding. The other game is Ulster v Stade Francais on Saturday. Again if Stade lose, the seedings can look very favourable for Red Bulls. In short Red Bulls want wins for Lyon, Ospreys and Ulster without Benetton picking up a point.