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Dragons captain Steff Hughes hopes their Challenge Cup win at Pau can kickstart their season as they aim to secure progress to the last 16.<\/span><\/p>\n The victory, a first in Europe for three years, ended a seven-match winless run in all competitions.<\/span><\/p>\n “It was definitely a much-needed win because we had a really tough block of fixtures,” Hughes told BBC Sport Wales.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’ve dug in together and we showed against Pau the quality we have in the group and hopefully that can give us a kickstart for the rest of the season.”<\/span><\/p>\n The Gwent side will now finish the pool stages with a match against South Africa’s Lions at Rodney Parade next Sunday in the knowledge that they are likely to qualify for the knockout stages whatever the result.<\/span><\/p>\n “We want to keep the momentum going,” added Hughes.<\/span><\/p>\n “We know the Lions quite well because we’ve played them twice already this season. <\/span><\/p>\n “We won’t be playing them at altitude or 33-degree heat so we’ll look forward to that and hopefully we can get a good win again.<\/span><\/p>\n “We know how good we can be especially at home so this will give us confidence to really get stuck in.”<\/span><\/p>\n Hughes is enjoying a new lease of life at Dragons after joining in October 2022 on a short-term contract as injury cover.<\/span><\/p>\n The 28-year-old was released by Scarlets at the end of last season and spent the summer training at his local rugby ground.<\/span><\/p>\n “This is special, playing European rugby in France is always an incredible experience and to have the chance just to come here and play is a real honour,” Hughes said.<\/span><\/p>\n