Danny Wilson has set a target of four wins from their six group games if London Welsh are to keep their dreams of playing in the Guinness Premiership alive.
The Dragons get their Championship promotion Pool B campaign underway this weekend by hosting Doncaster at Old Deer Park.
And with home and away clashes with Exeter and Nottingham to follow, Wilson accepts starting with a win is crucial.
He said: “On paper this looks the easiest of our group games but Doncaster have really hit form recently.
“We know it is going to be a physical game and we have to be prepared for that.
“It is a massive game for us and it is extremely important that we kick things off with a win.
“We do not want to be chasing wins as that is when things can go wrong.
“I think four wins will be enough to get you into the semi-finals and I really do not care where those four wins come from.
“Looking at it realistically though if you win your home games and pick up a win away that should do it.
“We have a squad here that is good enough to make the semi-finals and it is up to us to prove it.”
Welsh ensured they ended the season in third place with a come-from-behind 28-24 win at Cornish Pirates at the weekend.
Tries from Nathan Bonner-Evans, Charlie Gower and Ben Thomas saw the Dragons erase an 18-point deficit and left Wilson delighted.
He added: “We wanted to finish the season in third place and we achieved that.
“I rested a couple of players and we dug in and got the win.
“We did pick up a couple more injuries, and with the very small squad we have that is always going to present problems.
“The players have had to play a lot of rugby this season, and the British & Irish Cup thrown in did not help matters.
“We have not really had any time off and there is the issue of fatigue to deal with.
“But the play-offs are what we have been working towards and now we are there it is up to us to make our mark.”
PLAY-OFF FORM GUIDE: v Doncaster: Home - lost 20-9, Away - won 17-10 v Exeter: Home - won 12-10, Away - lost 13-9 v Nottingham: Home - won 19-14, Away - lost 23-16
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article