HOOKER Elliot Dee believes the Newport Gwent Dragons tight five have shown this season that they can stand up to the bullies.

The Rodney Parade region have been shunted back at the set piece in recent seasons but on Friday they fully intend to go on the attack against Munster in the crunch Guinness Pro12 encounter at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Dragons flexed their muscles with a powerful performance against an admittedly inexperienced Ospreys pack last Friday, scoring three tries from driving lineouts (one from 35 metres) and bossing them at the scrum.

It promises to be a much sterner test against the Irish province this weekend but in-form Dee, who has played in all 11 games this season, believes the tight five is up to the task.

"In the last couple of seasons people would expect us to be bullied by Munster but I think that the way we are going this season they will have to respect us," he said.

"We've worked hard on the driving lineout and it has been an area of strength for us. I think that teams will now see us as a threat and that's what we have been aiming for.

"We are trying to get a reputation as a powerful team at the scrum and driving lineout and want to change our perception with opponents and referees.

"The big focus against the Ospreys was to give it to them up front. We did that and it was the perfect build-up to Munster."

The Dragons have strengthened their tight five this season with the signings of experienced forwards Rynard Landman, Boris Stankovich and Brok Harris at lock, loosehead and tighthead respectively.

Former Stormers prop Harris arrived from Currie Cup with Western Province a fortnight ago and was flung straight in against Harlequins and the Ospreys in the LV= Cup.

"It must have been hard coming straight in without a break but he has settled in brilliantly and put in two really good performances," said Dee.

"Brok's a great guy and has a lot of experience, he has spoken up in team meetings and the boys really respect him."

The Dragons will make a late call on loosehead Stankovich after the prop was forced off in the opening stages of the Ospreys win with a knee problem.