BROK Harris expects the Newport Gwent Dragons pack to face a stern examination at the hands of one of the Guinness Pro12’s most formidable forward units this evening, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons welcome Connacht to Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.30pm) and are attempting to end a six-game losing streak against the men from Galway.

Two seasons ago Pat Lam’s side did the damage up front when romping to a 24-8 victory in Newport, scoring three tries from driving lineouts and another from a powerful scrum.

And with the going destined to be heavy tonight, prop Harris knows that the Dragons tight game must be on the money.

“It’s going to start in the forwards and it will be a tough one because Connacht are number one in the league for driving mauls while their scrum is very solid,” said the South African tighthead.

“It will be a big focus for us to match them and get the win at home to climb the ladder. With this weather it’s definitely going to be a forward-orientated game and we are looking forward to the challenge.

“There were a lot of positives that we can take out of the game against Ulster last week but we still lost. This is another chance for a Rodney Parade win and we know that it’s going to be won and lost up front.”

The Dragons make just one enforced change up front for the clash with Connacht, Nick Crosswell returning from a foot injury for Ed Jackson after the number eight suffered a hamstring strain in Belfast.

There are three changes behind with Sarel Pretorius and Jason Tovey coming in at half-back with Charlie Davies and Angus O’Brien, good performers in Ireland, dropping to the bench.

Hallam Amos has not been released from Wales’ Six Nations squad so Nick Scott, a summer recruit from London Welsh, will attempt to break his duck on the left wing.

Connacht make three changes to the XV that beat the Scarlets a fortnight ago with AJ MacGinty replacing the injured Jack Carty at fly-half, Bundee Aki shifting to outside centre to partner Craig Ronaldson in midfield and powerful prop Rodney Ah You coming in at tighthead.

Prop Finlay Bealham, lock Ultan Dillane and scrum-half Kieran Marmion have all been released from the Ireland squad and are among the replacements.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, A Hughes, A Warren, N Scott, J Tovey, S Pretorius, P Price, E Dee, B Harris, M Screech, R Landman, B White, N Cudd, N Crosswell. Replacements: R Buckley, B Stankovich, S Knight, C Hill, J Benjamin, C Davies, A O’Brien, GR Jones.

Connacht: T O’Halloran, D Poolman, B Aki, C Ronaldson, M Healy, AJ MacGinty, C Blade, D Buckley, T McCartney, R Ah You, G Naoupu, A Muldowney, J Muldoon (captain), J Heenan, E Masterson. Replacements: D Heffernan, R Loughney, F Bealham, U Dillane, E McKeon, K Marmion, P Robb, R Parata

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)