With attention turning back to domestic rugby and a derby double with Cardiff Blues and Ospreys, European competition takes a break for Christmas.
After slipping to defeat to Newcastle Falcons for a second time this season, the Dragons will lick their wounds before facing their French opponents away in Round 5 of the tournament, then back at Newport the following week.
The five group winners are assured of qualification for the knockout rounds and the teams' with the best group stage records secure a home draw; only the three best runners-up progress, paired against the better group victors.
Following the first four rounds the Dragons have 11 points, whilst in the last three years between 18-20 points have been required to qualify for the quarter-finals, so Bernard Jackman's men must win both contests with Bordeaux.
At the Christmas recess, Newcastle now have a seven point advantage in the pool with two games against bottom side Enisei-STM of Russia to play and the Dragons are level on points with Bordeaux in second spot in the pool, separated by points difference.
Comparing with the other teams in second spot, Gloucester are in the box seat to take the first of three best runners up spots, as they're 11 points ahead of third in their pool and chasing Pau who have racked up 19 points.
In groups four and five, Stade Francais Paris snatched a late win against London Irish to move on to 12 points, matching Worcester's record after four games, following their defeat away at Oyonnax.
Edinburgh top pool four ahead of Stade with a perfect record of 20 points from four games, whilst Newcastle, Pau and Connacht are set to join them as group winners. Cardiff Blues top pool two but with only six points seperating first to fourth, their pool is set to go the wire and if the Blues can stay top its unlikely to produce a best runner up qualifier.
Dragons Head Coach Bernard Jackman remains bullish about the Dragons prospects of progress,
"We'd have to get five points at home and then win over there so we've said that we've been the masters of our own downfall (v Newcastle), and the reaction is to go to Bordeaux and win there.
"Nineteen points gives you a fair chance of getting out the group, and if we get a bonus point here then twenty points would be a really good haul.
"It's not over yet, but we've made it a little hard for ourselves."
Dates and times for the final two rounds of European group stage action are expected to be confirmed this week.
