BOSS Dai Flanagan has called on the Dragons to set the tone for the United Rugby Championship campaign from minute one against the Ospreys.
The Rodney Parade club start the season with a derby against the Welsh Shield winners and play-off quarter-finalists (kick-off 3pm).
It is the first of four home games in the six-fixture block leading up to the autumn internationals.
The Dragons won just three times in the URC last season and were left to rue missed opportunities in the opening rounds against Edinburgh and Cardiff.
They are desperate to avoid history repeating in their bid to push up the table after finishing with just Zebre beneath them last year.
“I don’t want to talk too much about the block in general because we did that last season and it didn’t go too well!
“Being a bit of a rugby nause and studying the English Premiership and Top 14 for years, where you finish your first six games is often close to where you end up at the end.
“Have a good block and get points on the board and it usually sustains you for the rest of the year whereas if you are struggling after the first six then it’s hard to gather momentum up the table.
“It’s an exciting opportunity with four games at home and it’s awesome to play in front of our people.”
Flanagan has spoken about developing a ‘Gwent way’ and realises the need for the Dragons to be more physical after frequently being on the back foot, especially against South African and Irish opponents.
There was encouragement from their last pre-season display when they frustrated English Premiership runners-up Bath at the Rec.
“We want to start seeing that identity from minute one. We saw that with the start in Bath and I am excited by minutes 1 to 80 with a fully-loaded side,” said Flanagan, who rang the changes for the second half in the west country to protect key players.
The Ospreys were once again Wales’ best side in 2023/24 and are aiming to give boss Toby Booth a successful final season in charge.
The Dragons did beat them 20-5 a year ago, when the visitors played for most of the game with 14 men after wing Mat Protheroe’s red card, and will need to be on the top of their game for a repeat.
“They will have a fantastic lineout and a good maul, that’s their bread and butter, but they have the ability to play,” said Flanagan.
The Ospreys finished eighth last season and also know the importance of a strong start if they are to be contenders.
"This opening block will go a long way to setting the tone for the season," said boss Toby Booth, who enters his last season in charge.
"We've spoken about this being an Olympic block and if we want to be at the medal ceremony at the end, then this is important."
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