Rees tasted continental glory with Cardiff Blues in 2010 as the capital-based outfit became the first Welsh region to secure European silverware when they shocked star-studded Toulon in Marseilles.
That 28-21 success just 30 miles down the road from Toulon’s home turf brings back plenty of happy memories for the ex-Edinburgh and London Irish scrum-half and he insists it has given him even greater desire to experience similar European highs with his new side.
“The further we can go in Europe, the better,” said Rees, whose team desperately need back-to-back wins in December having seen English outfit Bath take early control of Pool 2.
“Whatever sport you play in, you want to be involved in the highest competitions. I’ve been lucky enough to have won the Amlin and I’ve played in the semi-final of the Heineken. You really want to play in those massive games, you want to show what you can do on that stage.
“I’ve been lucky, I’ve won the Amlin, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and what is now the PRO12. That day when we beat Toulon out in France was fantastic for me personally. I played the full 80 and they are the games you want to be involved in.
“We’ve got Bordeaux at home first and that’s a big game for us. If we can pick up a victory here, going over there the following Thursday will be a huge match. As long as we can put a performance in, we can keep on building.
“In all honesty, that’s the key. If we beat them here, then we’d be going over there full of confidence and would they really want to try and front up then in that game? Who knows?”
The Dragons were edged out 18-14 by league leaders Munster in their latest domestic outing at the weekend but they shocked high-flying Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun seven days earlier.
They have also seen off the likes of Ulster and the Scarlets this season as they continue to make impressive progress under the leadership of new director of rugby Lyn Jones and Rees is convinced they are heading in the right direction.
“I can only comment on my time here since June 5, but we’ve won four from nine in the league and one from two in the Amlin so we’re building and we’re doing better than we probably have done in the past,” added Rees.
“We are a young squad, there’s no getting away from that, but the boys are working hard. It’s about self-belief: as long as you believe you’re better than the guy you are playing against, then there’s absolutely no reason you can’t show that.
“We’re working hard together and everyone’s learning from each other. But we want to play in the Heineken Cup, in the highest competition we can, next season. If that means coming in the top three regions in Wales, then so be it.”
