HOOKER Elliot Dee says hitting a half-century in Romania means the Dragons go flying into Friday’s crunch European Challenge Cup clash with Northampton.

The Rodney Parade region entertain the Saints (kick-off 7.30pm) knowing that home games are vital to their hopes of progressing from a daunting pool that also includes Clermont Auvergne.

The French side hammered Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens in round one while the Dragons enjoyed a 54-17 success at group whipping boys Timisoara Saracens, and emerging with a clean bill of health.

Wales front rower Dee, who captained the side in Romania and scored a pair of tries from driving lineouts, says it was the perfect build-up for the meeting with the Saints.

“Everyone is excited about this campaign,” said Dee. “It was a good trip for us and it was great to rack up 50 points.

“It is only the second time I have done it in a Dragons jersey so it gives us a lot of confidence. There are things we need to tweak and work on.

“We stay close as a group and go flying into Friday night – I’m sure it will be a great occasion. We’ve played them before quite a lot of the last few years, obviously in pre-season as well.

“We will look back at those games and it’s about showing we have learned those lessons. A win would be huge for the campaign and set us up for the two away games (in Northampton and Clermont) in December.”

Dee was joined on the scoresheet by tighthead Leon Brown, wing Dafydd Howells, lock Lewis Evans, flanker Ollie Griffiths and scrum-half Rhodri Davies, plus there was a penalty try.

After having to cope with freezing conditions when beating Bucharest Wolves in 2014, the hooker was happier to be able to play with width and ambition.

“I don’t think we were expecting the weather we got, it was certainly much colder and snowing last time we were in Romania,” said Dee.

“It was nice to play an open game. We made a few mistakes, but we are happy the way we stuck to the game plan and got the job done.

“It was nice to get the driving maul going and we got a fair bit of advantage with that, and I managed to pick up a few tries which is always good. Credit goes to the pack – I do the easy job at the back.”

Dee is set to be named in Wales’ squad for the autumn internationals today (Tues) with his teammates Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Ollie Griffiths, Hallam Amos and Aaron Wainwright also hoping for the call from Warren Gatland.