NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have played some stunning rugby since the turn of the year.

There have been some excellent contenders for try of the season – Hallam Amos' finishes against Newcastle, Connacht and Treviso, Carl Meyer's score against Ulster, Jonathan Evans' solo effort in Italy last weekend, Tyler Morgan's combination of pace and power against the Falcons.

But on Saturday it needs to be substance over style in the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues.

As much as the television bigwigs at BT Sport would love a flowing affair akin to the Six Nations finale, from a Dragons point of view it'd be marvellous to see their well-drilled lineout continue to rumble forward.

It has been a major weapon this season and led to two tries in the stunning and surprise Guinness Pro12 win in the capital on Boxing Day.

The Dragons' tight five has been hit by lock Rynard Landman's suspension, injured hooker Elliot Dee is missed and influential loosehead Boris Stankovich's calf is a major worry but they will still fancy their chances of causing a few headaches for their friends from down the road.

Blues coach Dale McIntosh insists Boxing Day was a one-off, saying: "We've been pretty good defending driving lineouts all season. It's not a weak point, we just got it wrong on the day."

But for all the visitors' midfield problems and defensive fragility – only the Italian pair have shipped more points and conceded more tries in the Pro12 – one imagines that the maul, as well as the battle of the boot, will be a key part of the game on Saturday.

The Dragons have some dashing talent out wide but how nice it would be for the cameras to capture celebration shots of backs running to congratulate the forwards on a job well done at the driving lineout.