DEAN Ryan hopes former club Worcester Warriors can do his Dragons side a favour after the region lost control of their European Challenge Cup destiny.

The Dragons director of rugby, who led Warriors from 2013 until 2016, is banking on a Castres Olympique slip-up at his old stomping ground on Friday (8pm).

Ryan’s men were overpowered 42-14 at the Stade Pierre-Fabre on Saturday and got overtaken at the top of Pool One.

The Rodney Parade side now need to beat Russians Enisei-STM on Friday night with a bonus point and hope the 2018 French champions slip up at Worcester if they are to win the group and qualify automatically for the quarter-finals.

“We are at home and there is lots for Castres to do,” Ryan told the South Wales Argus.

“Last rounds of Europe are strange things and anything can happen.

“We knew that if we couldn’t win in Castres we would lose control so now we just have to control what we can against Enisei.”

Ryan said of the Castres clash: “This was a huge contest and full credit to Castres because some of the stuff that they did was outstanding.

“That’s probably as physical a game as we have played this season so we have got some bruised bodies.”