NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner is demanding a reaction from his under-firing senior players as they bid to stop the rot against Munster on Friday evening.

Two losses in as many weeks have left Dragons fans scratching their heads coming in the wake of a cracking win in the season opener at Llanelli Scarlets.

After a hammering at the hands of Cardiff Blues and a limp display at Connacht, Turner has issued a rallying call to his experienced charges who he feels need to match the enthusiasm and drive of their younger counterparts.

"The senior players need to stand up, that is quite obvious," said Turner. "Our young players are doing fine at the moment and all of the energy we got against Connacht came from them.

"Hugh Gustafson, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Thomas, Ashley Smith - there isn't an issue with any of them, it is with the desire of our senior players. That was one thing that carried us through last season but that has been missing in the last two games.

"It is a difficult period at the moment, we may not have as many players away as other regions but in a way the ones we are missing are far more crucial to us.

"You can't get through seasons with just young players. You need that little bit of experience and we have commented that we have lacked leadership in these last two games, when we are going sideways or backwards we need a stamp of authority.

"We have spoken to our senior players and we are expecting them to step up to the plate on Friday."

The Dragons will face a Munster side looking for back-to-back wins over Welsh regions following Saturday's 26-16 victory over the Scarlets.

But motivating Turner's side will be the desire to replicate last season's cracking 19-12 win over the then European champions at a drenched Rodney Parade.

He said: "Most of what I can remember of last season is wet Friday nights, every time it seemed to rain in abundance. We came back well in that game to win it near the end and another victory like that would go down well.

"But they have recruited well and their midfield looks strong. Paul Warwick (outside half) was the fulcrum of their performance against the Scarlets and they have backed him up with Rua Tipoki and Keiran Lewis at centre."