NEWPORT Gwent Dragons can no longer qualify for the semi-finals of the LV= Cup but Ashley Smith insists there is plenty to play for against London Welsh on Sunday.

The Dragons, who lost 37-32 to Exeter on Sunday, can no longer overhaul Pool One leaders Saracens.

But with places up for grabs when the Guinness Pro12 resumes at Leinster a week on Sunday, not to mention the avoiding the embarrassment of being Welsh's first victim of a tough season, Smith is one of those looking to impress.

"There's no such thing as a dead rubber and we are all looking forward to training and cracking on with preparation for London Welsh," said the 27-year-old, who was captain against the Chiefs.

"I don't know what the coaches are going to do in terms of selection but there is still plenty to play for.

"They rotated the squad for Exeter and brought a lot of players in who hadn't featured much and we will see if they will decide to start looking towards Leinster with the boys who played a lot of rugby over the previous weeks."

Smith was pleased with the fight shown by his teammates against the powerful Chiefs with the Dragons fighting back from 30-13 down on the hour to make a real game of it in the closing stages.

He believes the tenacious display means director of rugby Lyn Jones and head coach Kingsley Jones will have a few selection headaches, not only against the Exiles but for Dublin.

"The boys stuck at it and we were disappointed not to come away with more than two bonus points," he said.

"I don't think it was a case of them taking their foot off the gas and you couldn't ask for any more in that last quarter.

"A few players put their hands up and might get another opportunity on Sunday and a competitive squad is what we want.

"The coaches know players are knocking on the door and it's only going to help produce better performances if the person behind a starter is playing well."