DRAGONS boss Bernard Jackman believes the Guinness PRO14 fixture computer has given them a perfect chance to build early momentum.

The Rodney Parade region will have home advantage for three of the first four rounds of the Championship, all of those games against teams unlikely to be in the play-off mix.

They open up against Benetton then host Southern Kings and Zebre either side of a trip to champions Leinster.

The Dragons endured a nightmare 2017/18 that yielded just two PRO14 wins, both in September, but Jackman has had a big recruitment drive with Lions ace Ross Moriarty, Samoa lock Brandon Nansen and Wales caps Rhodri Williams, Richard Hibbard and Aaron Jarvis the major recruits.

They need to get off to a flying start and the opening encounters provide a golden opportunity.

"Having two home games to start and three of our first four is brilliant for us," said Jackman, who is in his second year at the helm. "We want to get the season off to a cracking start and have had a big and long pre-season.

"We have three friendlies [against Ealing Trailfinders, Northampton and Gloucester] which will hopefully have us ready to fire from day one. We are really happy with how we are going and are just looking forward to getting started.

"It's a chance to get some early momentum in September. We wanted to start well anyway, and know how important that is, but that fixture list makes it even more important.

"We have to get points on the board in September, but there's always pressure."

The Dragons will attempt to end a 21-game league derby losing streak when they host Cardiff Blues, their last victims on Boxing Day, 2014, in round six on Saturday, October 6 (kick-off 5.15pm).

Before then they will have been tested with tricky trips to the Royal Dublin Society and Scotstoun Stadium to face champs Leinster and title hopefuls Glasgow.

Last season Jackman's side endured a whitewash on the road in the PRO14 and their hosts bagged bonus points in all 10 away fixtures.

The Dragons were given thumpings at Ulster, Leinster, the Scarlets and Southern Kings but the head coach is confident his new-look squad will be more resilient.

"This year there will be way less rotation to last season when we blooded players and used 62 with a view to seeing what we had," said Jackman.

"This year it will be a very settled selection, barring injuries, and players that get game time will have earned it either in training, through Under-23s or the Premiership."

DRAGONS FIXTURES
Saturday, September 1: Benetton (home, KO 7.35pm)
Saturday, September 8: Southern Kings (home, KO 3pm)
Saturday, September 15: Leinster (away, KO 5.15pm)
Saturday, September 22: Zebre (home, KP 5.15pm)
Saturday, September 29: Glasgow (away, KO 7.35pm)
Saturday, October 6: Cardiff Blues (home, KO 5.15pm)
Friday, October 26: Ulster (away, KO 7.55pm)
Saturday, November 3: Connacht (away, KO 5.15pm)
Sunday, November 25: Edinburgh (home, KO 5.30pm)
Saturday, December 1: Leinster (home, 5.15pm)
Saturday, December 22: Cardiff Blues (away, KO 5.15pm)
Sunday, December 30: Ospreys (home KO 3pm)
Saturday, January 5: Scarlets (away, KO 5.15pm)
Saturday, January 26: Munster (home, KO 3pm).
Friday, February 15: Edinburgh (away, KO 7.35pm)
Saturday, February 23: Benetton (away, KO 2pm)
Sunday, March 3: Ulster (home, KO 3pm)
Weekend of March 22: Ospreys (away)
Weekend of April 5: Southern Kings (away)
Weekend of April 12: Cheetahs (away)
Weekend of April 26: Scarlets ('home' - Principality Stadium)