WING Matthew Pewtner hopes that the Premiership Rugby 7s can help him get a nose for the try line as Newport Gwent Dragons count down to the start of the Guinness Pro12.

The 23-year-old is hoping to be involved when the Dragons enjoy their first 'proper' action of pre-season against Bristol on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

If selected at Clifton RFC then Pewtner will be fresh from helping the region finish as runners-up to Gloucester in the Anglo-Welsh sevens competition.

The speedster was named as player of the tournament in the qualifying leg at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park and then was a key figure as the Dragons impressed at the Twickenham Stoop.

Pewtner, who was a runner-up with Wales at the 2013 Hong Kong Sevens, hopes to reap the benefits on his return to the 15-a-side game.

"There's nothing better than sevens for getting you sharp," he said. "It gets the lungs burning and gives you the chance to get ball in hand and express yourself.

"I'm not quite built for sevens any more after putting on a little bit more weight but it's always good fun and we played well.

"It was a shame we didn't quite go all the way but I think we showed the sort of spirit that will be needed throughout the season; we worked hard for each other and fought for everything."

With Hallam Amos (shoulder) and Tyler Morgan (foot) currently sidelined, Pewtner will be battling with Wales wings Aled Brew and Tom Prydie for starting spots.

He will be attempting to build on a solid 2013/14 in which he made 15 appearances before a problem with his sinuses forced a premature end to the campaign in February.

"It was quite a nasty injury and that ruined the end of the season for me," he said. "I missed the last few months and that put a downer on what had been a pretty decent campaign for me.

"But I am over it now and pre-season has been really good in the new facility in Ystrad Mynach. Hopefully now we can start to kick on ahead of the new season."

The Dragons play two other friendlies before their Pro12 opener against Connacht in Galway on Saturday, September 6.

A development XV travels to Lydney on Sunday, August 24 and they host Northampton at Ebbw Vale's Eugene Cross Park on Friday, August 29.