DRAGONS talisman Ollie Griffiths is desperate to give the Rodney Parade supporters a victory to toast from the stands for the first time in over two years on Saturday.
Dean Ryan’s men finish a nightmare season with a home clash against the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (kick-off 3pm).
The Dragons are destined to finish one from bottom while the South Africans head to Wales unable to force their way into the play-offs, but it is far from a dead rubber for the hosts.
READ MORE: Lock crisis for Parade clash
They need to win to avoid a winless season on home soil after enduring seven defeats and a draw against Benetton in the URC to go along with losses to Lyon and Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup.
Their last triumph on home soil was against the Scarlets in the Rainbow Cup on April 25, 2021 while the coronavirus pandemic means the supporters have had an even longer wait to watch a success in Newport live.
The last time that a triumph was greeted by cheers from the stands and terraces was against the Cheetahs on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
It has been a nightmare season for the Dragons but influential Griffiths is desperate to provide some joy at the death to ensure they can start 2022/23 without a winless streak hanging over them.
“We’ve got one last game in a what has been a difficult season, there is no shying away from that,” said the back rower from Newbridge. “We will be looking to finish strong and on a positive.
“It hurts me to hear about our run because the fans are itching for us to get a home win.
“I just want to let them know that we are doing everything that we possibly can, all we can do is try our hardest and fingers cross on Saturday we can get the win for them.
“The Dragons fans have stuck by us even though we have had some tough seasons through the years. Their support is appreciated and hopefully we give them plenty to cheer about.”
The Dragons have endured frustration in their last three home fixtures after letting leads slip in the final quarter against Gloucester, the Scarlets and Cardiff.
They lost 19-18 to the men from the Arms Park last Friday after 20-year-old Will Reed was narrowly wide with a long-range penalty in the 80th minute.
“It was a close game throughout and fair play to Will at the end, he’s youngster in only his second start and he had the guts to say that he wanted to try and stick it over,” said Griffiths, who powered over in the first half.
“Unfortunately he didn’t get it but I will back his decision all day – fair play to him, it would have been the easy option to just stick it in the corner and shift the responsibility off himself.
“He will probably be hard on himself but he had the confidence to have a go.”
The Dragons will have a light week of training but are poised to be without three locks with Joe Davies suspended after a being red-carded for a high shot against Cardiff.
Wales lock Will Rowlands has missed the last three games with a shoulder injury and is unlikely to be risked while Ben Carter was forced off after a bang to the shoulder last week.
Huw Taylor, Joe Maksymiw and Max Williams are the likely trio to face the Lions.
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