LYN Jones admits that Newport Gwent Dragons need to throw the shackles off if they are to spark their season into life against Ulster on Sunday.

The Dragons have made a sluggish start to the Guinness Pro12 with a pair of uninspiring home victories against Zebre and Treviso and away defeats to Connacht, Leinster, Glasgow and the Scarlets.

They are yet to hit their straps in attack – albeit they are without their star backs Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Jack Dixon – and supporters have been exasperated with the frequency with which their side have booted away possession.

Jones admits that they need to pose more questions with ball in hand if they are to stun Ulster for the third successive season at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm).

"There have been two disappointing factors so far in our season," said the director of rugby. "One is conceding maul tries, something we were excellent at defending last term, and the other is that we haven't been able to get the game as wide as we want.

"We played some attractive rugby last season and the season before but so far we haven't been able to get the ball through three pairs of hands.

"That's something very much in our mind because if we are to be successful then we have to score at least 25 points.

"You are not going to do that by holding onto the ball all the time, the game has to have some width.

"It's something we are aware of and something we are working towards improving – if we are going to beat Ulster we have got to play."

Jones, however, stresses that the Dragons cannot be too loose. They will still employ a kicking game – they just need to do it better and more shrewdly against a savvy Ulster.

"We didn't kick smartly or chase well against the Scarlets and lost the kicking battle," he said. "Only one kick ended on a positive note for us.

"Ulster are the team in the league who kick the most and will drag the game into a kicking duel. We cannot afford to play rugby on the tail end of a really good (Ulster) kick.

"We have to play on the front foot when circumstances arise and need to be patient in the kicking battle.

"New Zealand leathered the ball in the semi-final and final of the World Cup. They understand the percentages and where they need to start (playing) from."