Australian Hewat did not enjoy the snow in Perpignan last season

London Irish's Peter Hewat says his Guinness Premiership-topping team is full of confidence for the trip to Dax.

The Exiles head pool one of the European Challenge Cup with a maximum 10 points, having beaten Rovigo and Connacht so far.

Hewat told BBC Radio Berkshire: "We're finding ways to win games, but it's not always pretty.

"We won't take Dax lightly, but we expect to win every time we play now - it's what we ask of ourselves."

Dax coach Thomas Lievremont has promised the Exiles the toughest of tests, a challenge welcomed by Hewat.

"Dax are saying they'll take a full team into the game and they've had some big wins this year in the Top 14, so we definitely won't be taking them lightly," said the full-back.

"But we want to continue our success of late and we want to be ranked number one when it comes to the quarter-finals.

"We need to win this game and to win it well."

Hewat, who hails from the warmer climes of New South Wales, said he was hoping for better weather in France than the icy conditions in England.

"It's supposed to be warmer, but then it was supposed to be warm in Perpignan last year and it ended up snowing," he said.

"But fingers crossed it'll be a fine day and we can play some rugby."

Hewat says that he revels in the kind of hostile atmosphere Irish are likely to face in south-west France.

"Silence is more of a worry to me than anything else," said the Australian.

"During the Super 14 back home, you'd always get booed and jeered - I tend to like that sort of atmosphere."

*Dax versus London Irish kicks off at 1800 GMT on Friday, 5 December, and is live on BBC Radio Berkshire

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