NEWPORT Gwent Dragons back row forward James Benjamin hopes to put the heat on one of the Guinness Pro12's breakdown masters when gets another chance in the LV= Cup tomorrow evening.

The 20-year-old from Rogerstone is poised for a fourth appearance on the spin against the Ospreys after coming off the bench against Newcastle and starting against Ulster and Harlequins.

Benjamin played at number eight for Wales Under-20s in last summer's Junior World Cup but is looking to impress in the absence of scavenging openside Nic Cudd, who has started the season in superb form despite the region's struggles.

"Nic has been the benchmark for all sevens in the Pro12," he said. "He has been a standout performer and has worked really hard and kept improving.

"His decision-making is excellent; he is such a nuisance at the breakdown while his skills with ball in hand means that he is also good in the attack.

"He is someone that me and the other young sevens look up to and want to learn from."

Benjamin is joined in the Dragons squad by fellow burgeoning flankers Ollie Griffiths and Scott Matthews and is relishing the chance to put his hard graft from the training paddock into practice on the pitch.

He said: "Game time is massive and the more that I play the more confident I feel on the pitch, it gives you the chance to learn and improve your decision-making, which is massive for an openside.

"The choices that you make in a split second (at the breakdown) have an impact a couple of phases later on. It's all about the top two inches.

"There's really tough competition at seven so you have to try and make the most of every chance that you get."

The Dragons need to win against the Ospreys at the Brewery Field in Bridgend if they are to stand any chance of qualifying from Group A of the LV= Cup following last week's disappointing 31-21 loss at the Twickenham Stoop.

It also provides a chance to boost morale ahead of next Friday's key Pro12 encounter with Munster at Rodney Parade.

"It's an exciting game and derbies always have that extra spice," said Benjamin. "We need to improve on the Harlequins performance to hopefully get a win that would be the perfect launch pad into the league."