NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have endured a frustrating start to the season but boss Kingsley Jones is thrilled by the way that captain Lewis Evans is leading by example.

The Dragons have suffered a tough first block of the Guinness Pro12 with just one win from six games, the familiar tale of pluckiness in defeat to Munster, Glasgow and the Scarlets merely adding to the angst.

But there have been some encouraging signs ahead of Friday's European Rugby Challenge Cup opener against Brive at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.30pm), including the form of back row forward Evans.

The 29-year-old from Newport is in his second spell as captain at Rodney Parade after earning selection in the summer when the management team invited the squad to put their names forward for the role.

Evans may not have led the side to the number of wins that he would like but his whole-hearted displays have shown head coach Jones that he picked the right man.

"I've talked to Lewis a lot because I was captain for much of my career and understand some of the things he's facing," said the former Ebbw Vale and Gloucester flanker.

"The way that he led against the Scarlets and Glasgow was by example; it's your actions that are leadership.

"The other players are following and it gives everyone a lift when someone runs and makes a big hit, everyone wants to do it.

"Right to the end of the game Lewis was doing that and I am very pleased with him."

The Dragons will hope to keep their impressive recent form against French teams going against Brive on Friday night.

In recent seasons they have done the double over Stade Francais and Pau in the group stages and beaten Bordeaux-Begles and Castres in Newport.

Brive have started the Top 14 in impressive fashion with notable wins against Toulon, Racing 92, Stade Francais and La Rochelle to sit seventh in the table.

The occasionally treat Europe as something of a distraction, especially away from the Stade Amedee-Domenech, and last year they lost away to Connacht, Enisei and Newcastle.

However, the fact that they won losing bonus points on all three trips shows they don't just raise the white flag.

"We put in a very good performance against the Scarlets but were inches away again," said Jones after the 31-27 loss, which yielded a pair of bonus points.

"It was a really good changing room in there, it wasn't not a changing room where we have lost a few games on the trot. The chat was good and they were already looking forward to playing Brive."

While the Dragons seniors are up against French opponents, the combination of the region's fringe players, academy talent and pick of the Premiership will go up against English rivals.

The Premiership Select XV start their British and Irish Cup campaign at Bedford on Saturday before hosting Ealing Trailfinders at Cross Keys the following Saturday (both kick-offs 3pm).