CENTRE Jack Dixon says Newport Gwent Dragons are motivated by the opportunity of becoming history makers at Leinster on Sunday afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade region have never won in the Irish capital and their narrowest defeat was in 2009 when beaten 23-14 at the Royal Dublin Society.

Last year they looked set to at least leave with a bonus point until tighthead Tetaz Chaparro was red-carded in the last minute for clearing out Isaac Boss dangerously at a ruck, enabling Leinster to go on the attack and score a fourth try in a 31-19.

Dixon, who has never been part of a side that have won in Ireland let alone Dublin, says the squad are being driven by the desire to break the Dragons' duck.

"The record is motivation for us and we know that if we can win there it will be a great achievement," said the 20-year-old from Newbridge.

"Things like that give you a boost and extra motivation. It's always nice to break records on the way and we are aiming to go out there and put a big performance in."

Leinster are without their sizeable Ireland contingent but still boast a wealth of talent in their ranks.

However, they haven't played since drawing with Wasps to secure a home quarter-final in the European Rugby Champions Cup on January 24 while the Dragons first-teamers got to blow away the cobwebs when edging past London Welsh in the LV= Cup last weekend.

"We weren't pleased with the performance against London Welsh but we have put that to bed," said Dixon, a late replacement against the Exiles.

"Leinster are a very solid side so we are looking to be a bit more direct and I expect there will be a lot of kicking in the early stages. Hopefully then the game will break up and we can play a bit more but we need to earn the right to go wide."

Dixon is now hitting his straps after being sidelined at the start of the campaign after undergoing wrist surgery.

And the powerful centre, who can play 12 or 13, is pleased that he is now battling for a starting spot with Pat Leach, who made his first appearance of the campaign last weekend after a pre-season knee injury.

"Pat is a top man and a great player so it's nice to have him back in the mix," said Dixon. "He adds a lot to the team, especially in defence.

"Ashley Smith is also very experienced and I am learning a lot of him in training, so competition for places at centre is really picking up. The more players back fit the better."