However a chastening loss to title chasing Munster has set them back, as Scarlets leapfrogged back into seventh after their tense victory over Zebre.
The Dragons in contrast are riding the crest of a wave after downing champions Leinster, and Ford admits his side cannot afford to put a foot wrong as they bid to become the first Scottish side to reach a European final.
"The weekend was not ideal by any stretch of the imagination but we know we're a good team when we perform well," Ford told BBC Scotland.
"We've got an opportunity to go out and train and rectify the things that need to be done.
"We're not taking anything for granted here, we need to do our homework and make sure we're in the best possible shape.
"What every team looks to do coming into these kind of games is start well and get points on the board. But it's about maintaining that throughout because you can have a great start and then momentum can turn so it's about us not allowing that to happen."
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