NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have got used to having the status of Wales' worst region but they also head to the Ospreys on Sunday with another unwanted tag.

The Rodney Parade region have the bluntest attack in the Guinness Pro12 thanks to a record of just 13 tries in 12 league fixtures.

They have drawn a blank five times while seven of their scores have come in the home encounters with Italian pair Zebre and Treviso.

It means that they have the second worst strike rate of the 38 teams in the three frontline European leagues of the Pro12, Aviva Premiership and Top 14. Hapless London Welsh, who have scored 12 in 12, are the only side beneath them in the rankings.

A crippling midfield injury list is a worthy explanation for the Dragons' struggles to spark in attack but their style of play, with a heavy emphasis on putting boot to ball, is also a cause.

A few eyebrows were raised after the New Year's Day loss to Cardiff Blues when director of rugby Lyn Jones insisted: "Both teams tried to be positive and play a bit of rugby but scrum time was probably 25 to 30 minutes of the game."

That was at odds with what most had seen in a dour encounter, neither side was exactly Barbarians-esque in their approach at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons adopted the same tactics as they have all season; they attempted to boot the leather off the ball.

Rodney Parade is known throughout the league for its intimidating atmosphere but the most common sound emanating from the Hazell Terrace this season has been the groan when an up and under is launched.

The scene is familiar, a member of the back three fields the ball, makes eye contact with their fellow speedster, points towards the air, puts up a 'bomb'.

The kicking tactic can work well when done properly, as it was for much of December, but it's also an approach that works better away from home.

The Dragons safely negotiated a tricky Challenge Cup encounter in Bucharest by ensuring they put the pressure on the Wolves inside their own half.

And the marvellous victory at the Arms Park on Boxing Day was earned by the pack outmuscling Cardiff Blues after the boots of Jason Tovey, Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie put them in enemy territory. It was a prime example of, in rugby lexicon, 'playing in the right areas'.

But that works best when on the road, especially when the Dragons can use their Wales' worst tag to their advantage.

Fans of most teams that host the region head through the turnstyles expecting their side to triumph; this weekend the pressure will be on the table-topping Ospreys to entertain at the Liberty Stadium.

That gives the Dragons the chance to boot the ball deep and tempt their hosts to play when it's not on.

Combined with their excellent defence – they made a whopping 391 tackles against the Blues in the festive double-header – it is an approach that can lead to shots at goal or the chance to kick to the corner for their strong driving lineout.

But the long-suffering Rodney Parade faithful need a bit more if they are to keep parting with their cash.

It's the entertainment business and if the Dragons are downed on their own turf, as they have been by the Ospreys, Glasgow, Munster and Cardiff Blues this season, then their supporters at least need to see a bit more daring rugby.