HOOKER Rhys Thomas knows Newport Gwent Dragons must cope with the pressure of being favourites better than they did when under the pump as underdogs when they host Zebre on Friday.

The Dragons will attempt to end an 11-game losing streak when they welcome the Italians to Rodney Parade in round two.

Kingsley Jones' side head into the clash on the back of a 29-8 thrashing by Ulster when they failed to build on an encouraging and enterprising start in Belfast.

They haven't won in the league since January but will still be favourites for Friday's encounter with a Zebre side who were drubbed 59-5 by the Ospreys on opening weekend.

"It's the opposite situation, we went out to Ulster with no pressure but on Friday it swings round to us," said Thomas, who captained the Dragons at Kingspan Stadium.

"Now it's down to how we deal with that and react to the defeat. Kingsley and the other coaches spoke well in the changing room afterwards and while it was a tough start, we've got a quick chance to put it behind us.

"I am sure we will be honest with each other on Monday and move on quickly. As a squad we should be better than that and it's frustrating, but you can't dwell on it."

Glass-half-full Dragons supporters will be encouraged by the opening quarter in Belfast when their side played exciting rugby to lead 8-0 with wing Pat Howard crossing on debut.

Glass-half-empty ones will point to an hour of rugby where they barely strung together an attack.

"We made a great start," said Thomas. "We came out and did exactly what we said we were going to do all week by forcing our game on them.

"But then we coughed up possession, they kicked through to score and the momentum was with them.

"They squeezed us into mistakes then. Ulster starved us of possession and have top, top players in key positions who strangle you.

"All summer we've spoken about trying to play a more attacking way; for 30 minutes we did that but we have to find a way of doing it for longer."

The men from Parma are staying in Wales and training in Newport ahead of Friday's game and despite their Swansea smashing will be buoyed by their 47-22 home thrashing of the Dragons in the final game of 2015/16.