WING Pat Howard has urged the Rodney Parade faithful to give Newport Gwent Dragons their unwavering support rather than 'sapping' negativity when they attempt to upset the odds against Munster on Saturday.

The Dragons are attempting to win back-to-back Guinness Pro12 games for the first time since April 2015 when they host the Irish province (kick-off 5.15pm).

However, Kingsley Jones' men head into the game on the back of a frustrating performance when beating Zebre 11-6 with their error-strewn display leading to some murmurs of discontent from the home support.

That anxiety stems from a 2015/16 campaign in which the Dragons won just four league games but new boy Howard, a summer signing from Northampton, doesn't want any negative vibes against the Munstermen.

"A win is a win and any fan base should be happy with that," said the South African, who scored the only try of the game against Zebre after also crossing on debut at Ulster.

"I understand people have their opinions but at the end of the day it's four points, that's what we needed and that's what we were going for however it came about.

"We would like the supporters to support us and not scrutinise everything we do. We did make mistakes but every team makes mistakes and it's our responsibility to fix that.

"We will do the best we can to do that but we need the support instead of the scrutiny, which can bring a lot of negativity in.

"When we had a penalty the entire side of the Bisley Stand was shouting to go for the posts and then Lewis (Evans, captain) went for touch and you don't want to hear what was said!

"It's a really negative thing and you want to be backed because positive energy from the crowd spurs you on, makes you feel better and makes you want to drive over the line and score that try.

"When they are doing that (questioning decisions) it's sapping and we are going to need their support, not to feel under pressure from the crowd as well as the other team."

Howard used to play for Munster and made his debut for the Irish side at Rodney Parade when they romped to a 38-12 win in November, 2014.

That encounter was a rare one-sided clash between the sides in Newport and the former Stormers three-quarter hopes partisan home backing can provide them with an edge.

"I remember being at Munster when all the guys were saying that they don't like coming to Rodney Parade, that it's not comfortable against a team that's fired up and at home," he said.

Flanker Ollie Griffiths (shoulder), lock Cory Hill (ear), tighthead Craig Mitchell (dead leg) and full-back Carl Meyer (head) are back in contention after missing the Zebre fixture.