LEWIS Evans expects things to go up a notch in training as Newport Gwent Dragons prepare for their last tune-up before the start of the Guinness Pro12, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade side have rung the changes in pre-season so far, using 32 players in the 48-12 win against Nottingham and 38 in the 29-20 loss to the Scarlets.

They will trim things down for Saturday's fixture against Cardiff Blues in the capital and Evans expect the battle for places to start in earnest this morning.

The back row forward, who will continue his weekly column in the Argus this season, has declared that nobody is sure of their spot for the league opener at Connacht on Friday, September 4.

"There is so much strength and depth," said Evans. "There is so much competition for places that the coaches have wanted to give everyone an opportunity but in Cardiff it will be as close as possible to the squad for Connacht and the final chance for players to put their hand up for the starting XV.

"The first couple of weeks you are digging in for each other and getting through the hell of pre-season but as soon as game time approaches there's a slightly different animal with everyone wanting that jersey.

"There are not many boys who have got a start spot nailed down and there will be competition in training next week to get the spot for Cardiff so that they can try and earn the honour of the jersey for Connacht."

The Dragons will need to decide if any of their senior squad members who helped win the Welsh leg of the Singha Premiership 7s – Dorian Jones, Geraint Rhys Jones, Matthew Pewtner and Ollie Griffiths – will be released for finals night at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday instead of the Blues friendly.

The English qualifiers that will join the Rodney Parade side and the Scarlets in the quarter-finals are champions Gloucester, Exeter, Wasps, Harlequins, Newcastle and Sale.