NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Shaun Connor says tomorrow's clash with the Guinness Pro12 title-chasing Ospreys is the biggest test of their impressive Rodney Parade winning streak, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons hunt their sixth successive win in Newport – and a first league derby success in over two years – when they entertain the Liberty Stadium side (kick-off 5.05pm).

The Ospreys sit second in the table and head east with a star-studded XV featuring Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, Sam Davies and Scott Baldwin despite a rapid turnaround from their home win against the Scarlets on Tuesday.

The Dragons have turned over Brive, Connacht, the Scarlets, Edinburgh and Worcester at Rodney Parade but are underdogs and Connor is relishing the chance to make a huge statement at the start of 2017.

"They are the flag bearers for Wales and without a doubt this is going to be our hardest game since getting on a winning run at home," said the former fly-half, who won two titles with the Ospreys and was a member of the side that beat Australia A in Swansea.

"We've beaten some good teams at Rodney Parade recently but this is going to be a massive test and hopefully our crowd will be a big factor. They have really got behind us and I know that they players appreciate the backing.

"This is going to be a massive challenge for us because the Ospreys have real strength in depth and some quality players but this is a chance for our guys who have aspirations of playing international rugby to test themselves against some of the best.

"If we can get a big win on Sunday then it takes us nicely into home games against Treviso and Enisei to hopefully set us up for a strong second half of the season."

The Dragons head into the game on the back of a disappointing Boxing Day defeat to Cardiff Blues in the capital.

Connor said: "The Ospreys have got an impressive power game and Kingsley (Jones, head coach) has been working on trying to deal with that, because we lost the collisions with the Blues and have to put that right.

"We have to be more accurate because the Ospreys are very dangerous from turnover ball and from poor kicks and bad chases, they are very good a blocking and the back three identifying those holes."