LIVEWIRE wing Elliot Frewen has declared that Newport Gwent Dragons won't give up their Singha Premiership 7s crown without a fight – and believes the men from Rodney Parade are even stronger than last year.

The Dragons start the defence of their title when they lock horns with the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Scarlets in the capital tomorrow evening (7pm start).

Nick Wakley's squad lifted the Welsh cup at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in 2015 and then went on to upset the odds for the big trophy at Twickenham Stoop, beating Sale, holders Gloucester and then a Wasps side featuring full internationals Christian Wade, Elliot Daly and Joe Simpson.

Newport RFC winger Frewen was star of the night and his exploits saw him named as Aviva Premiership 7s player of the year at a star-studded ceremony in London in May.

The Black and Ambers favourite will be a marked man this evening along with six title-winning teammates but the 29-year-old from Pencoed has stressed the Dragons haven't rested on their laurels.

"We've got a lot to live up to but that's really exciting," said Frewen. "We've had good training sessions and they have been really positive – I think we have strengthened from last year.

"The young boys in the squad have more experience of sevens and know what they are doing while we have added some real quality.

"We've got another specialist in Ethan Davies, who is a Wales international, and Rhys Jones is captaining us again and I think he could easily have been in the Olympics squad.

"Last year we were the underdogs but now I suppose that we are a bit of a target and maybe the team to beat."

The Dragons triumphed last year despite losing their first game to the Scarlets and Frewen doesn't want a repeat.

"We will just have to take it one step at a time and that Ospreys game first up is crucial, it can set the tone for the whole tournament," said the winger, who has been in fine form with Samurai 7s this summer.

"We have to start well and build from there because a win puts us in good shape for the back-to-back games against Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets."

Full tournament preview on page 42