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Page last updated at 11:42 GMT, Thursday, 15 April 2010 12:42 UK

Newport Gwent Dragons ready for 'biggest' clash

MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 18 April Kick-off: 1705 BST Coverage: Live on S4C, score updates on BBC Sport website, highlights on Scrum V


Paul Turner
Paul Turner has been coach of Newport Gwent Dragons since 2005

Paul Turner insists the Dragons' league showdown with Edinburgh is the "most important game in the region's history" as they bid to secure a Euro spot.

Coach Turner believes victory on Sunday would seal the Rodney Parade region one of Wales' three available Heineken Cup for spots next season.

"It's probably the most important game in the brief Dragons history," he said.

The Dragons, formed when regional rugby was introduced in 2003, missed out on European rugby in the 2006-07 season.

Newport Gwent Dragons are widely-regarded as the most unfashionable of the four Welsh regions due to their lack of a big-money benefactor.

Llanelli Scarlets and Cardiff Blues are regional super-clubs born out of two world-famous sides while the star-studded Ospreys are seen as Welsh rugby's 'galacticos.'

Only three of the four Welsh clubs in the Magners League will qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.

Unless the Blues win the Amlin Challenge Cup as the winners qualify for Europe's top club tournament - which will pave the way for all four Welsh region's to qualify for Heineken Cup.

The Dragons are also chasing a place in the end-of-season Magners League play-offs - a new system introduced this season - and victory over Edinburgh would achieve their Heineken Cup ambitions.

"If we win, we qualify it's simple as that," Turner told BBC Sport.

"It has come a stage a good performance and a win will make it for us - and be a major step.

"We have taken a lot of steps this season, we're building slowly, there's a great feeling around the club and a win on Sunday will take us that next step.

"The play-offs are also in our sights and if we can win on Sunday we'll be looking in front is us and not behind us.

"And a place in the Heineken Cup will make it easier to sign new players."

Turner admits the Dragons need "a few more signings" to "bolster his squad" as the coach seeks a scrum-half, a full-back, a lock, a wing and an openside flanker as summer reinforcements.

The Dragons have never qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in six attempts as Turner aims to get his side out of the pool stages for the first time.

And the former Wales fly-half, in his fifth year as Dragons coach, has warned his board that the Newport-based region needs to add numbers for a concerted European push.

606: DEBATE
Lyndon

"When we do qualify for European we need to be ready for it," said Turner.

"And if and when we do that the next step will be getting ready for an arduous campaign because Europe can do you huge damage if you have a small squad."

The Dragons beat Edinburgh 9-8 at Murrayfield earlier in the season but have not achieved a league double over the Scotsmen since the 2003/04 season.

But the Welshmen have won eight of their last nine home league games while Edinburgh have lost their last three on the road.

"They have a number of Test players and we will have to play well to win." said Turner.

"If we can give this crowd something to shout about, they can be our 16th man and their input is always important to us."



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see also
Dragons 49-28 Edinburgh
18 Apr 10 |  Welsh
Dragons duo celebrate new deals
14 Apr 10 |  NG Dragons
Flanker Lydiate suffers season KO
14 Apr 10 |  Welsh
Jones signs new deal with Dragons
02 Mar 10 |  NG Dragons
Magners League to adopt play-off
27 Aug 08 |  Rugby Union
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales
RaboDirect Pro12
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Heineken Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Anglo-Welsh Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union


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