IT'S a massive home game for Newport Gwent Dragons tonight as we attempt to secure a big win against Munster at Rodney Parade.

We go into the game on the back of a great victory against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup, a success that was built on a great display up front.

The coaches picked a very strong front five and that showed with our performance at the driving lineout. I was lucky enough to profit from the pack's hard work with two of three tries from mauls, partly down to my move across the back row.

When playing blindside flanker you are usually involved in the lift or the jump but the number eight often goes on the ball. It worked a treat last week, especially when we went over from 35 metres, and it would be great to enjoy more success against Munster.

We've worked hard all season on our set piece and have reaped the rewards from going into games with a power mentality. We need to go into Munster with exactly the same approach but we know that it won't be as easy as last week against an inexperienced Ospreys pack.

The pack has improved massively on last season in the tight but we are not foolish enough to think we are the finished article. There is no danger of us resting on our laurels but the performances have given us a huge confidence boost.

We made a great start against the Ospreys and were going at more than a point a minute to lead 41-0 at half-time and then 48-0 early in the second half.

That was down to doing the basics well, playing a simple game plan in tricky conditions with everyone sticking to it. We won the kicking battle and that kept us on the front foot.

Sometimes rugby can be frustrating in that if a team is dominant the officials can feel the need to 'balance the books'. I think there was an element of that last week but we regained our composure to secure a good 51-35 win.

That has meant that there has been a positive mood at training and we are slowly getting more players back in contention from injury, although there have still been challenges with having to manage so many bumps and bruises.

It has also been a hectic time away from our training base at Ystrad Mynach with my friend Richard Davenport now dedicating all his time to Life Education Wales. We are now going to schools in Gwent and some parts of Cardiff to spread the word and provide workshops for the next generation.

It's good to be busy but back to the 'day job' it will be good to run out at Rodney Parade again after passing a milestone at the Brewery Field.

I made my 150th appearance for the region and passed the landmark a game after my good friend Ashley Smith.

I've known Ash since Newport District Under-11s and Newport High School Old Boys and we have played together almost ever since.

We're both similar players – unfortunately we are not blessed with natural strength or pace but we pride ourselves on our personal fitness... diesel engines! Another strength is our communication, although teammates may phrase that by saying we never shut up on the field.

We're not the only ones about to celebrate a milestone as Adam Frampton, Newport RFC's warhorse, is set for his 150th appearance for the Black and Ambers.

He has been a great servant to the club, calling their lineout and putting his body on the line for so long whether at lock or the back row.

It's great to see that the NHSOB system has worked to provide players to go on represent the city and region.