NEWPORT and Gwent Dragons coach Mike Ruddock has admitted that tonight's game against Leeds Tykes at Pontypool Park will be a big step up for his newly assembled side.

Especially as the Tykes have included two England internationals in an impressive starting line-up - David Rees and Phil Christophers.

The Dragons lacked cohesion in their first half display against Penzance Pirates last Friday and although they came together well with a blistering second half performance Ruddock knows tonight will be a huge task.

"Training has gone well this week and we intend to cut out the mistakes and rustiness that hampered us against Penzance," he said.

"But it was good to get that game under our belt and although will be a big step up for us we are looking forward to the challenge."

Ruddock has made three changes to the side that played in Penzance on Friday night.

In come Nathan Brew, Craig Warlow and Rhodri Jones and out go Rhys Shorney, Lee Jarvis and Bryan Shelbourne.

Leeds have yet to play a pre-season game but are looking forward to playing in Wales: "The game against the Dragons marks the start of our pre-season campaign and is an extremely important game for us," commented Leeds Tykes Director of Rugby, Phil Davies.

"We have been in training for nearly two months and the lads are really keen to get a game under their belt. "We have a number of new players who will be playing their first game for the club so they will be looking to make a good first impression."

Meanwhile Dragons number eight Shawn Van Rensburg has pleaded for patience following his side's 53-8 victory over English First Division side Penzance Pirates.

It was the Dragons first game since becoming a new regional side in the summer and following a mixed performance against the Pirates on Friday night, Van Rensburg had called for more time for his side to gel. "It was a strange game and a mixed performance," admitted the South African.

"The first half was nervous and edgy and that's not surprising considering it was our first game.

"But in the second half it seemed to come together a little and hopefully that is a sign of things to come.

"There are a lot of new players as well as a few players away on Wales duty so from that point of view it will take time for us feel comfortable."

Van Rensburg was one of only a few players to play the 80 minutes on Friday and he capped a superb individual performance by scoring one try midway through the second half as well as setting up Rhys Williams for a late try.

Leeds Tykes: Matt Cardey, David Rees, Tristan Davies, Duncan Hodge, Phil Christophers, Tim Walsh, Clive Stuart-Smith, Gary Powell, Rob Rawlinson, Matt Holt, Stuart Hooper, Phil Murphy, Scott Morgan, Dan Hyde, Colm Rigney. Replacements - Mike Shelley, Simon Halford, Stewart Campbell, Matt Salter, James Ponton, Alan Dickens, Jon Buchanan. Tom Rock