NATHAN Brew, pictured, has made himself an established member of the Newport Gwent Dragons team, but such is the strength in depth this season that he knows one slip could prove costly.

Brew a regular last season under Mike Ruddock, albeit on the wing rather than his preferred centre position, playing in all but four of the 29 games.

He earned a cap against Romania at Wrexham almost a year ago and went on Wales' tour to Argentina and South Africa this summer, though failing to make the Test team.

He has carried on in the same vein as last season for the Dragons under new coach Chris Anderson, starting all five matches though there is a slight doubt about him for tonight's match against Borders because of a hip injury.

But Brew, still only 22, is taking nothing for granted. "There is so much strength in depth that anyone can come in. We know that if we don't perform we will come away disappointed," he said.

"If I have a bad game there are players with great potential who can come in. We're always on our toes which is why we are doing so well.

"But Chris has come here from a different background, he's helped us with our fitness levels and is proving a great benefit.

"It's enjoyable playing under him, he's straight talking, he doesn't beat about the bush and he doesn't take any messing about."

Brew says the Dragons will underestimate winless bottom-of-the-table Borders at their peril, especially after they pushed leaders Neath-Swansea Ospreys all the way last week, denying them a bonus point.

"They are a decent side so we need to go up there with a definite mindset," he said. "We need to go there for the win, if a bonus point comes along that will be fantastic."

He acknowledges the role of outside half Ceri Sweeney in the Dragons success.

"There's a lot of leadership from number 10 which has paid off," he said. "For my try against Ulster we had a second option if they flew up to us and Ceri showed the vision to pop it back inside to me."

Brew acknowledges there is major competition for places, but has far from given up on securing a place in the Wales set-up.

"I wasn't expecting to start on the tour this summer, a lot of players were missing because of injury so I was filling in really and wasn't too disappointed not to play.

"But it was great to see Hal (Dragons teammate Luscombe) have a chance, and he took the opportunity.

"Every game is a big one for me now. I've got to try to progress and if I play well in the Heineken Cup and get back in I'll take it."