IF we don't match Ulster in the first 20 minutes at Ravenhill tonight we won't maintain our winning run, warns in-form Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Jamie Ringer.

If fans are expecting a fourth successive win to roll off the production line especially given Ulster's indifferent form, Ringer brings them down to earth with a bump in his typical forthright way.

"Ulster are a great force at Ravenhill and we got stuffed there twice last season, so it's going to be tough," said Ringer.

"They'll come out flying in the first 20 minutes and we'll have to match that if we're going to get a foothold. We are not that good a side, we're still building and we've still got a lot of work to do.

"Winning last week against Leinster will be no good unless we perform week in, week out."

The 28-year-old flanker's career has really taken off after it appeared to be languishing in spells with Cardiff (four years) and Bridgend (three years).

He emerged from the shadows with the Dragons under coach Mike Ruddock last season, but has really prospered since tough Aussie nut Chris Anderson took over at the helm.

So much so that he is one of the first names on Anderson's team list whether it's at blindside flanker or deputising for injured captain Jason Forster on the openside.

He's currently keeping internationals out of the Dragons team with a series of wholehearted, hard-hitting performances, highlighted by a terrific try in Glasgow when he sped down the wing, inside the full back and onwards over the line for a try.

"I was standing still a bit, just marking time really," Ringer admitted. "I needed a jolt, I'd got a bit stale and I needed a new challenge. I didn't enjoy my last year at Bridgend and it showed in my rugby. But last year was completely different, the team started to go well and it's easy to perform well in a good structure.

"I didn't start in the first five games, but then the team played better and we all gelled at the same time.

There's a lot of competition for places and there are internationals on the bench here, so if you take your eye off the ball you get a good kick up the backside.

"I find Chris Anderson to be fair, he's still learning the intricacies of rugby union, but they will come, it's a simple game. He knows about winning and he gets you right mentally.

"One of the best things I find about him is that he doesn't bother you with meeting after meeting or with last words before a game.

"He gives you confidence by, say, going for a game of cricket (as in Glasgow) and as good as telling us, that's it we don't really need to do any more.

"He crammed so much in in the summer, he goes for toughness, but we're taking things on board and the squad is a very tight one."