SCRUM-HALF Charlie Davies has pledged Newport Gwent Dragons will lay their bodies on the line in their Guinness PRO12 finale against Cardiff Blues to avoid a summer of regret, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons end their season by trying to end a 14-match league derby losing streak when they welcome the Blues to Caerphilly RFC.

The side from the capital have at least one more game when they go up against French opposition in the play-offs for a spot in the Champions Cup.

But for Kingsley Jones’ men there is just 80 minutes remaining of a challenging campaign that hasn’t included a win since January 16.

They have one last chance to better the 2015/16 tally of four league successes and ensure they stay in 10th place above the winner of the Zebre-Treviso clash.

“There is no next week and we’ve got to lay our bodies on the line, otherwise we will sit around for five weeks thinking about this game,” said Davies.

“If we don’t play well enough then it’s not a nice feeling to have until pre-season. We want to finish on a high and end a difficult season in a good way.

“We’ve put some decent performances in against Ulster, the Scarlets and Edinburgh without getting the result, so we have to finish off with a full 80. It’s a big Welsh derby and we always look forward to playing Cardiff.”

It has been a frustrating season for Davies, who spent three months on the sidelines after needing thumb surgery following the loss to Enisei-STM in Krasnodar last October.

However, the 26-year-old has worn the 9 jersey in the last four games and played the full 80 minutes against Zebre and the Scarlets because of injuries to Tavis Knoyle (wrist) and Sarel Pretorius (hamstring).

“I haven’t had as much rugby as I’ve wanted this year so it’s been good to finish off with a series of starts,” said the former Stade Francais and Wasps half-back, who qualifies for Wales through his father’s side of the family.

“I’ve had a few 80 minutes on the bounce and have really enjoyed it. The body has been a bit sore but it’s been nice to get an opportunity, even if it’s because of injuries.”

Pretorius is in contention for the Blues game and would provide some senior back-up for Davies, who was covered by wing Adam Hughes against Zebre and the Scarlets before 19-year-old Owain Leonard was an unused replacement in Edinburgh.

“Owain is a talented player and me getting yellow-carded last week [in the 72nd minute] was unfortunate for him because he probably would have got a run out for a debut,” said Davies.

“He is a good little player and has been keen to learn and do extras. He is asking questions about the role of a 9 in the professional game and he is a great lad to work with, so it will have been a good experience for him.”

The teams are named at midday with the Dragons carrying out late fitness tests on full-back Carl Meyer and lock Cory Hill.

Wales hopeful Tyler Morgan is poised to return at outside centre after missing the Myreside defeat with a rib injury.

The Dragons haven’t won a PRO12 derby since beating the Blues in Cardiff on Boxing Day, 2014, although they did triumph against the Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November.