NEWPORT Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones says Taulupe Faletau needs to become a better team player in 2015 and insists the Wales and British Lions star is not guaranteed a starting spot.

Faletau helped Wales to record a long-awaited victory over a southern hemisphere giant with the 12-6 win over South Africa last month.

But he had to be content with a place on the bench on his return to Rodney Parade, playing the second half of last week’s 69-17 romp against Bucuresti Wolves in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Lewis Evans filled Faletau’s boots admirably during the autumn internationals and Jones says the Tongan-born ace has to win his place back in the team by becoming a better team player.

Jones said: "The challenge for Toby is to become a good team player for us. The first thing for him is to get on the team sheet.

"He had a tough autumn with national side and we have tried to look after him with his air time.

"He came on after half time against Bucharest and was back to his speedy best but being a team is far better than having good individuals."

As they head into the Christmas period, there is mixed news on the injury front for the region as centre Ashley Smith is expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks with a broken jaw while Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon are both back to face Zebre at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

After the Pro 12 clash against the Italians, the Dragons face a festive double header against Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day and New Year's Day before taking on the Ospreys in Swansea on January 11.

But Jones says he and the players are very much focused on the challenge posed by Zebre, who are one point and one place above them in the Guinness Pro12 table.

“We need to make sure we put in a big performance on Sunday,” he added.

“There are big derbies to come over the Christmas period but I’m totally focused on Zebre at the moment.

“This is a game that means everything to the players.

“Zebre are a very good side and they have excellent half-backs. They have two good nines and two good tens who carry the game and have a key influence on everything that happens positively in their attack.

“Just like Connacht and Edinburgh they’ve recruited very well from overseas to improve their squad and it’s improved the standard of the league.

“There are no easy games anymore; you have to fight for every point.”