IT takes something drastic to force Nic Cudd from the field but after a frustrating month on the sidelines the tenacious Newport Gwent Dragons openside is desperate to grasp his starting opportunity.

The 28-year-old made his return to action from the bench in last week’s Guinness PRO12 victory against Treviso and will have 7 on his back again in the must-win European Challenge Cup encounter with Enisei-STM on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).

Cudd has made 106 appearances for the Dragons over five seasons since heading east from Llanelli, sitting out just 36 games in all competitions since his debut against his old Scarlets side in October, 2012.

Such durability is remarkable given that he plays in arguably the most demanding position on the field.

If he had walk-on music then The Maccabees’ ‘Marks to Prove It’ would be apt for a man who is often bloodied and always bruised.

But there was no chance of him playing on when he was smashed from behind when carrying at Worcester in December, landing on the ball and popping rib cartilage.

“I can deal with cuts, they don’t look nice but they don’t stop me playing and an injury was frustrating,” said Cudd. “It was nice to get back last week and it will be good to carry that on.”

The openside has had to watch Ollie Griffiths continue to shine at 7 and will need to respond with a big performance against an imposing Enisei pack.

The Russians ran over the Dragons when winning 38-18 in Krasnodar in October and Cudd, who started at Trud Stadium, knows they cannot afford to let their guests build up a head of steam.

“We were all disappointed to lose out there but they are a tough team with some big guys,” said diminutive flanker.

“They are very effective with the pick-and-go game in the 22. They play a certain way and if you let them you are in for a tough time.

“Hopefully we’ve learnt the lessons from that trip and can take the game to them.”

In recent years the Dragons have played Cavalieri Prato, Mogliano and Bucharest Wolves but Enisei are no Challenge Cup whipping boys.

The Russians struggle away from home but added the men from Rodney Parade to a list of scalps that includes Brive, Newcastle and Worcester.

“They are adding to the competition,” said Cudd. “They have beaten us, Worcester and teams last year so they are a good outfit and it’s good to include teams from Russia and elsewhere if they are good enough.

“The travel is tough but there are more positive than negatives. We need to include teams from all over Europe and if they are good enough, they should be in.

“They have got some big men and are quite forward-orientated. They have their own unique way of playing and that is good for the competition – we can experience playing them and they can experience playing against teams from the UK, France and Italy.”

That respect for Enisei means there is no danger of Cudd getting carried away with thoughts of a winner-takes-all fixture in France.

“We have got to take it game by game,” he said. “We’ve got to get the win and then hopefully it will be all to play for in Brive and a cracking game.”

“Our away defeats (at Enisei and Worcester) were disappointing but it’s happened and we’ve got to look forward. We are all concentrating on Friday and then it can be all to play for.”

Pool Three leaders Brive host Worcester on Saturday.