BACKS coach Barry Maddocks is confident the Dragons will show a cutting edge against Enisei-STM at Rodney Parade this evening, writes Chris Kirwan.

The region created plenty of openings in last week's European Challenge Cup encounter in Castres but chances went begging in the first half.

That allowed the French team to take command and ease to victory, meaning that wing Jared Rosser's impressive late brace only reduced the deficit.

South Wales Argus:

"A lot of the movement of the ball was really good," said Maddocks. "We had a couple of opportunities that we didn't quite take, there was a break for Tavis Knoyle to go through (the scrum-half lost his footing on the heavy surface) and a maul that was pulled back.

"That would have changed the complexion of the game, and we felt there would have been a block in the second half that would come for us to possibly get four tries.

"There were positive signs in the movement of the ball and on another day we could well have scored those tries."

The Dragons could easily have crossed for four tries to leave with something to show for their efforts and it will be a huge shock if they don't bag a bonus this evening.

The Russians are tenacious but have conceded 33 tries in five games with teams pulling away in the second half.

That was the case when the Dragons headed to Krasnodar – a second string went in level at 14-14 before scoring stretching away to 49-22.

"Against Enisei we are hoping for those same opportunities (as in Castres) and we have some exciting youngsters that can cause damage with ball in hand," said Maddocks, who fields bright prospects Rio Dyer, Jared Rosser and Carwyn Penny in the back three.

"It's just a case of making sure the build-up is right to give them those opportunities, because Enisei are an aggressive team. We can't rest on our laurels because they were in the game in Worcester."