FORGET the regional double-header in the capital, Judgement Day is on the first weekend of April.

When Newport Gwent Dragons take on Cardiff Blues in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup it will determine the success and failure of both regions' seasons.

Frankly, the 9 weeks of LV= Cup and Guinness Pro12 action between now and then are irrelevant in terms of how we will view 2014/15.

If the Dragons win on whatever day the television bosses deem appropriate for us to watch our rugby then it will be a success, regardless of their fate in the semi-final.

Lose and it will be a painful campaign, leaving them to ponder what might have been while the fiercest rivals attempt to add to their trophy cabinet.

But the Dragons board face their own Judgement Day before Taulupe Faletau and Sam Warburton take to the field: they must resist the approaches of mischievous folk that push the attraction of moving away from Rodney Parade.

It would be a kick in the teeth for the players that worked so hard to earn a home quarter-final if the men in suits decided a quick buck could be made by moving to the capital.

And, more importantly, it would betray the 5,000 or so that have loyally gone through the turnstyles over the years to frequently be served with disappointment. This will be an occasion that deserves to be played in front of the regulars rather than the occasionals.

Thankfully chairman Martyn Hazell appears to share that view and it is likely the board will ignore those pushing the lure of a Millennium Stadium date that would see 20,000 or so rattling around in the national stadium.

The Rodney Parade fans deserve their quarter-final and the players deserve their home advantage.

Because they have had to work hard to earn their third seeding; winning in Paris, winning in the ice-cold of Bucharest, winning in Newcastle and finishing the job against Stade Francais.

The European campaign has enabled them to grow in confidence and the Dragons are a far better team now than they were in the autumn, possessing a pack that is proving to be a handful and dangerous young backs who are growing every week.

It is to their credit that there was probably more drama and tension on Saturday evening than on Saturday afternoon because from the moment that hooker Elliot Dee burrowed over it was pretty clear the Dragons would win.

They then kicked the penalties that increased their points difference but a four-try bonus point always looked a long shot because the Parisians, to their credit, didn't just roll over despite the Top 14 being their priority.

The Dragons' 11-point win set the scene for Exeter to set up a Welsh derby, denying the Dragons the chance to play Newcastle in what would have frankly been an easier, if lower profile, tie.

Chiefs captain Dean Mumm's try with three minutes left proved to be the difference, capping a late charge against a Bayonne side that folded in the second half.

That accusation couldn't be levelled at Stade Francais who, despite a lengthy list of absentees, showed plenty of spirit.

They trailed 22-7 at the break but ensured that the Dragons could never relax.

A romp looked possible in the early stages when Dee, who put in another magnificent performance until being forced off by a bump to the shoulder, guided a driving lineout over.

That score and 11 points from the right boot of wing Tom Prydie earned a 16-0 lead just past the quarter and raised the possibility of a few Gallic shrugs of indifference.

The Dragons, who were showing a nice blend of forward power and dangerous running, had kicked their points rather than going for tries despite being well-placed inside the 22.

That proved to be wise when former New Zealand rugby league international Krisnan Inu powered over from a quick tap penalty for a try that former Springboks fly-half Morne Steyn converted.

Prydie added a pair of penalties before the break but Stade came out firing in the second half and got their reward when hooker Zurab Zhvania's score from a driving lineout to make it 22-12.

The Dragons sealed the win when former Wales front rower Rhys Thomas mirrored the efforts of his young padawan Dee to drive over from a lineout.

Stade replied with their own second driving lineout score through replacement hooker Remi Bonfils – all season the region's defence hasn't quite matched their attack in that facet – before the full-back Geraint Rhys Jones banged over a penalty at the death.

That stretched Exeter's required winning margin to 41 but it proved to be just within the Chiefs grasp, meaning it will be Cardiff rather than Newcastle.

Dragons: GR Jones, T Prydie, T Morgan (A Hewitt 53-65), J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones (A O'Brien 72), J Evans (L Jones 72), P Price (L Fairbrother 71), E Dee (R Thomas 44), B Harris (D Way 71), J Thomas (C Hill 65), R Landman (captain, I Gough 76), L Evans, N Cudd, T Faletau.

Scorers: tries – E Dee, R Thomas; conversion – T Prydie; penalties – T Prydie (5), G R Jones

Stade Francais: P Williams, T Cazedepats, G Doumayrou (captain), K Inu (V Mallet 72), D Ioane, M Steyn, J Dupuy (J Tomas 72), R Frou (S Chellat 50), Z Zhvania (R Bonfils 67), D Kubriashvili (Z Taulafo 40), P Gabrillagues, J Guillemain (J Nibert 62), M Ugena (R Lakafia 72), M De Giovanni, N Garrault.

Scorers: tries – K Inu, Z Zhvania, R Bonfils; conversions – M Steyn (2)

Yellow card: M Ugena

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

Attendance: 5,571