BOSS Dai Flanagan admits the Dragons’ winless start to the United Rugby Championship means he won’t be slowly bringing back his Welsh World Cup stars.

The Rodney Parade club host Leinster in the URC on Sunday (kick-off 1.15pm) and are set to announce the club return of their big guns when the teams are revealed at midday on Friday.

Wing Rio Dyer, hooker Elliot Dee and back row forwards Dan Lydiate and Aaron Wainwright are yet to feature for the Dragons this season.

Their fellow World Cup star Taine Basham started at number eight against Munster last week after being left out of the Wales squad for the uncapped clash with the Barbarians.

Lock Ben Carter, full-back Cai Evans and tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother missed the 45-14 defeat in Cork after being selected for the Principality Stadium money-spinner.

The Dragons had to settle for losing bonus points in their home fixtures against Edinburgh and Cardiff, so Flanagan has no hesitation in bringing back his stars for a tough test against Leinster.

South Wales Argus: Dragons hooker Elliot Dee in World Cup training with WalesDragons hooker Elliot Dee in World Cup training with Wales (Image: Press Association)

“We’ve got some fresh juice in the group," said Flanagan. "The internationals have come back and there is a spring in their step, they are looking forward to performing for us if selected.

“If we were on a good run, and if we had a load of fit and healthy players flying around, then there is a chance to drop them in slowly. If struggling for form, it's an opportunity to put them all in and get after it.”

The Dragons were beaten by a Cardiff side that featured centre Mason Grady, scrum-half Tomos Williams and loosehead Corey Domachowski after their World Cup exploits.

Flanagan was unable to call on his Wales internationals in a bid to end the losing streak against the men from the Arms Park, with Lydiate a late withdrawal for personal reasons.

“A lot of our boys came back with niggles and we had three injections that week on Welsh boys plus one minor niggle,” he said.

“The one player who was fit that week, Dan Lydiate, offered to play. That was great, but unfortunately he had issues off the field that had to be a priority.

“We would have loved the Wales internationals back [for Cardiff] but we had to make sure they were right.”

The Dragons were without 21 players for their trip to Musgrave Park with seven players on Wales duty, 13 injured and scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou still off after World Cup duty.

The Argentina international is set to officially return to training next week, although he has met back up with his teammates.

The Wales contingent are back and the treatment room is less crowded, giving Flanagan and his coaches some selection headaches.

“It's nice to have players in the right positions in training and for players like Ryan Woodman, now the competition has come with Taine, Wainwright, Lydiate flying around and Ollie Griffiths back on the field,” said the head coach.

The Dragons are still without Wales prop Leon Brown after he suffered a tight calf in the preparations for the Barbarians game, which led to a call-up for Fairbrother.

Argentina international Rodrigo Martinez is also set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury in the opening exchanges against Cardiff, although the blow isn’t as severe as was first feared.

The Dragons have lost the last 12 meetings with Leinster since the 23-13 success in Newport in January, 2016.

The Irish province lost at Glasgow on opening weekend but have since enjoyed bonus-point wins against the Sharks and Edinburgh.