NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will kick off their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign with a clash against Brive at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons will lock horns with the French side on Friday, October 14 (kick-off 7.30pm) before travelling to Russia to face Enisei-STM the following Saturday at a venue that is yet to be confirmed.

Kingsley Jones’ men face a December double-header with Worcester – travelling to Sixways on Saturday December 10 and hosting the Warriors on Friday, December 16 – while the dates for rounds five and six will be confirmed before the New Year.

The Dragons are bidding to make it to the knockout stages for the third successive year after making the semi-finals in both 2015 and 2016, losing away to Edinburgh and Montpellier.

The final will take place at Murrayfield on Friday, May 12 the night before the Champions Cup final in Edinburgh.

Dragons’ fixtures

Round one: Brive (home) – Friday, October 14 (7.30pm)

Round two: Enisei-STM (away) – TBC

Round three: Worcester (away) – Saturday, December 10 (3pm)

Round four: Worcester (home) – Friday, December 16 (7.30pm)

Round five: Enisei-STM (home) – January 12/13/14/15

Round six: Brive (away) – January 19/20/21/22

Quarter-finals: March 30/31/ April ½

Semi-finals: April 21/22/23

Final: Friday, May 12 (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)