AFTER being 'sent to Coventry' for much of last season, two Newport Gwent Dragons first-teamers will be aiming to give the management a nudge this evening by securing a place at the Ricoh Arena finals day.

The Rodney Parade region start the defence of their Singha Premiership 7s crown when they lock horns with Cardiff Blues, the Ospreys and the Scarlets in the capital this evening.

The Dragons, who won the Welsh leg at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park last year before going on to beat Sale, Gloucester and then a star-studded Wasps at the Twickenham Stoop, have stuck with the formula that has worked well since the Aviva Premiership clubs invited the regions into the competition in 2014.

Ebbw Vale backs coach Nick Wakley, one of the most respected coaches on the sevens circuit, is in charge again and he is able to call on the services of seven title winners from last year.

Former Wales international Geraint Rhys Jones once again captains the side and he is joined by Newport wing Elliot Frewen, star of 2015's tournament to win the Aviva Premiership 7s player of the year award, Harri Keddie, James Benjamin, Jonny Lewis, Arwel Robson and Luc Jones.

The squad is strengthened further by the inclusion of current Wales international Ethan Davies, the Cross Keys fly-half/full-back who earned a national contract thanks to his exploits in the HSBC Sevens World Series last season, and Ebbw Vale speedster Chris Levesley.

The winger is fresh from some stellar performances for Great Britain in the World University Sevens Championship in Swansea and played in the Premiership 7s for London Welsh two years ago.

But two players who will be desperate to impress head coach Kingsley Jones after enduring plenty of frustration in 2015/16 are centre Ross Wardle and wing Aled Brew.

The pair found themselves out in the cold for most of the season with Wardle mainly having to settle for camoes off the bench despite the Dragons' midfield injury problems while Brew made just two appearances, fewer than he did for Bedwas, with the former Wales winger's last outing coming in Glasgow in October.

They appear to be down the pecking order for the Dragons XV but can give Jones and his coaching staff a reminder of their talents by shining on the plastic pitch at the Arms Park so that they can impress again in Coventry on Sunday, August 7.

New signing Darran Harris, a mobile hooker who previously played in the tournament for the Scarlets, makes his first appearance in a Dragons jersey in a strong squad that will start as favourites despite the hosts fielding a formidable side.

Cardiff Blues kick off the competition against their rivals from Llanelli at 7pm and not only do they profit from having a break after each game but they call on the services of a trio of Welsh internationals in Adam Thomas, Ben Roach and Owen Jenkins.

Wing Aaron Warren, who spent last season on trial at Newport Gwent Dragons, is one of seven players who featured at finals day for the Scarlets last season. The West Walians will be skippered by Carmarthen Quins livewire Iolo Evans.

The Ospreys, who are coached by former Dragons full-back Richard Fussell, have named a strong side as they bid to make their first finals day.

Current Wales 7s internationals Morgan Williams provides the specialist expertise alongside Dafydd Howells, capped in both the seven and fifteen man versions of the game, with experienced full Wales cap Jonathan Spratt also named.

Speedster Jay Baker, last season's Principality Premiership newcomer of the year with Aberavon will enjoy his first outing in an Ospreys shirt after signing for the region in the summer.

The Dragons play the Ospreys at 7.25pm, Cardiff Blues at 8.20pm and Scarlets straight after the hosts at 8.50pm. They will hope to have qualification and the Welsh trophy in the bag by the time the Ospreys and the Blues battle it out in the final fixture.

Dragons squad: Geraint Rhys Jones (captain), Ross Wardle, Darran Harris, Harrison Keddie, Aled Brew, Ethan Davies, James Benjamin, Elliot Frewen, Jonny Lewis, Arwel Robson, Chris Levesley, Luc Jones