NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Mike Ruddock (pictured) is urging his players to go out and make a big statement about their ability tomorrow.

Victory over visitors Connacht would take them into second place in the Celtic League and provide a massive boost ahead of their tough Heineken Cup campaign.

A win plus a bonus point would leave them joint top and make an even bigger statement ahead of their home Heineken Cup opener against current league leaders Ulster in a fortnight's time.

"I've told the boys that going top or second in the table would be a great statement to make in view of our administration difficulties," said Ruddock.

"It would show the terrific character, commitment and skill within the squad and would be a tremendous fillip to our European campaign. "But at the same time, I've told the players we can't underestimate Connacht.

"They have been semi-finalists in the Celtic Cup and they are currently above us in the Celtic League (third to the Dragons' fourth).

"They won at Stradey Park, won down at the Ospreys and won at Newport last season, so they travel well and Fortress Rodney Parade is not something they'll worry about.

"So we'll have our hands full on Sunday - definitely."

Connacht have won seven of their league and cup games this season, losing four - away to Cardiff (33-17) and Leinster (21-6) plus home to Llanelli (25-20) and Edinburgh (26-25).

This compares with Dragons' record of five wins and four defeats and has surprised many pundits, though not Ruddock.

"I think people have forgotten that, every year, Connacht are in the inter-provincial championships with Ulster, Munster and Leinster and never disgrace themselves," he said.

"They operate at a level, year in, year out, that is up around Heineken Cup quarter-final, semi-final and even finalist level because Ulster have won it and Munster have been in the final twice. So I'm not surprised they have done so well."

Ruddock also makes the point that Connacht benefit from a well co-ordinated regional rugby system in Ireland.

"For example, centre Mark McHugh, in 1999, kicked all the points in Leinster's victory over Leicester at Donnybrook and is now at Connacht.

"Several other players too have been picked up by Connacht and developed there.

"What happens in Ireland is, rather than have players sat on the benches at other regions or missing out on regional contracts, they re-direct them to Connacht for at least a season and then move them back.

"Also, people don't realise there is a huge amount of pride in Connacht rugby."

One player who has impressed everyone this season is Connacht centre Darren Yapp, tipped as a future international, and again Ruddock knows all about him.

"I tried to sign him for Ebbw Vale a couple of seasons ago," said Ruddock. "He's a very good player."

Meanwhile, the Dragons won't do anything different than usual for the Connacht clash.

"Obviously our discipline will have to be big because Eric Elwood or McHugh will kick goals from anywhere," said Ruddock.

"But we are trying to develop our game every week and play with a little more width as time goes on, providing the conditions allow.

"I thought our performance at Cardiff was really good and that built on the Munster and Edinburgh games and, as you know, Edinburgh are now in the Celtic Cup final.

"All the time we are trying to move our game on and we had three valid tries disallowed against Cardiff but still picked up a bonus point, so we are trying to increase our strike rate.

"But, at the same time, I won't go away from the basics as people who know me from the past will realise.

"They'll know I want to produce a big scrum and line-out and big defence. That's where we start. Look at England."

Connacht coach Michael Bradley continues with his rotation policy so Eric Elwood is on the bench tomorrow with David Hewitt at outside-half.

Dragons: S Tuipulotu, N Brew, H Luscombe, S Winn, B Breeze, C Warlow, G Baber, A Black, S Jones, C Anthony, I Gough, R Sidoli, J Ringer, J Forster, R Oakley. Reps: P Young, R Snow, M Owen, R Beattie, R Jones, L Jarvis, G Arasa.

Connacht: M Mostyn, C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn, D Hewitt, M Walls, D McFarland, B Jackson (c), A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, P Neville, T Carter, J O'Sullivan. Reps: J Fogarty, F Boiroux, M McCarthy, M Lacey, C O'Loughlin, E Elwood, T Robinson.