COACH Luke Narraway has challenged the Dragons to repeat their rousing Rodney Parade efforts on the road against Benetton's bruisers this afternoon.
They have travelled to Treviso on the back of fiery performances in a 23-17 win over Munster and 20-19 loss to the Sharks.
The Dragons ended a 17-month winless streak on home soil with the success against the Irish province then flew into the South Africans despite a six-day turnaround, agonisingly losing in the closing stages.
“We spoke about getting back to performances of yesteryear at Rodney Parade,” said forwards coach Narraway, a former back rower with Gloucester and England.
“I remember it being a horrible place to go, always a hard-fought game and teams didn’t relish it.
“We let that slip last year and it was about rekindling that Rodney Parade spirit, getting the fans involved and making sure they are proud of our performances.
“We certainly did that, although it would have been nice to get over the line against the Sharks.
“It's now about matching those performances away from home. Emotional levels were good at home and we need to make sure that stays the same in surroundings that are unfamiliar.”
The Dragons have stood tall against two strong packs in Newport and now face another tough test against a Benetton side fresh from a home win against the Scarlets.
“They are pretty much an Italy team with international class throughout,” said Narraway.
“They have a strong kicking game and [former coach] Paul Gustard certainly installed some Saracens behaviour in their play.
“They have a strong set piece and emotion is a given for them in front of their supporters. We need to match that emotion and the physicality levels, then we can play some good rugby off the back of that.”
The Dragons tinker with their XV but Narraway and fellow forwards coach Mefin Davies will expect another strong showing up front.
“Our lineout has gone really well with nine steals so far, and that’s down to the hard work in front of the computers and out on the training field,” he said.
“With our lineout attack it was great to go over for Elliot Dee’s try against a heavy Sharks pack.
“We have got belief and know where we can get better to lay the foundations for the backs to play.
“Every good Dragons team in the past has had a gritty pack, and that is something we are working towards.”
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