DEAN Ryan believes the Dragons are hitting new heights for physicality after they stunned Glasgow to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive.

The Rodney Parade region did a Guinness PRO14 double over the Warriors, backing up their December triumph at Scotstoun with a fightback success at Principality Stadium.

They trailed 17-9 at the break but tries by full-back Jordan Williams and lock Matthew Screech earned a 26-17 advantage.

The Dragons then repelled wave after wave of Glasgow runners in their 22 to deny the Scots what could prove to be a pivotal bonus point in the race for fourth.

Director of rugby Ryan hailed his players’ physicality in the narrow loss to Ulster and was thrilled that they backed it up in the capital, with Wales international Ross Moriarty leading the charge.

South Wales Argus: JOY: Lloyd Fairbrother and Ashton Hewitt celebrate while Richard Hibbard doesn't have the energyJOY: Lloyd Fairbrother and Ashton Hewitt celebrate while Richard Hibbard doesn't have the energy

“The levels that we are playing at are above anything we have been able to achieve previously,” said the former England forward.

“It's as physical and complete as we have been. We have never lacked effort and we have been physical in the past but then somebody would make an error and it wouldn't count for anything.

“Things are just coming together at the same time and that's what growing together as a side is about. Glasgow was another step towards that.

“We are now physical – if you run to run at us, fine. The previous week was the most physical game that we have been involved in, because I rate Ulster in that department.

“If people want to run at us we are now organised and we are now physical and we make things really difficult for teams, as we saw at the end against Glasgow.

“We are now starting to build some moments when we get our own game on the field and threaten, although we've still probably got to be a bit more accurate when we have those pressure moments.”

South Wales Argus:

The Dragons endured an eight-game losing streak over the winter but have now beaten the Ospreys and Glasgow either side of their narrow loss to Ulster.

“Any side needs to go through some pain and I wish the season was going on a bit longer because we are gathering a bit of momentum,” said Ryan, whose team are building up a head of steam for the Challenge Cup last 16 tie with Northampton.

“We have a little bit more quality on deck and look a different side than five or six weeks ago. We had three changes early on [because of injuries to Josh Lewis, Ollie Griffiths and Jamie Roberts], we still don't have our internationals and yet we are achieving that level of performance.”

The Dragons finish the PRO14 against Edinburgh on Sunday and need a favour from winless Benetton on Saturday.

If Glasgow win with a bonus against the Italians then Ryan’s men will also need a five-point haul and to win by at least 25 points to turn around the points difference gap.