RHODRI Williams is better placed to judge than many if the Dragons really are a different side this season.

The scrum-half is in his seventh campaign at Rodney Parade, racking up 117 appearances, and has seen plenty of false dawns.

The Dragons have endured a promising yet also disappointing start to the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship with the last-gasp win over the Ospreys on opening weekend followed by three defeats.

They frustrated Leinster in Dublin before shipping late tries then conceded at the death to lose 33-30 to the Sharks and couldn’t sneak over the line when beaten 23-19 by the Lions.

There has been plenty to admire from the physical, aggressive performances but Williams & Co have only notched one win plus three bonuses.

“It's been frustrating. We've been in all of the games, even at Leinster we were challenging them at half-time,” said the 31-year-old.

“We feel that we should have won the last two games and that's where the frustration comes from. We are in a good place and are staying positive.

CLOSE: The Dragons and Rhodri Williams were edged out by the LionsCLOSE: The Dragons and Rhodri Williams were edged out by the Lions (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“Last week against the Lions was disappointing because we weren't quite ourselves, our energy levels were down and we lacked a bit of accuracy. We've had a good honest review and hopefully we can put things right.

“It's a good frustration and we are still in high spirits and excited about what we are doing. They are the fine margins.

“We have a six-day turnaround to go again and we will be positive to put things right. We are excited to be back at Rodney Parade in our last home game for a few weeks because the support has been outstanding.”

The Dragons are underdogs when hosting a Benetton side who flexed their muscles with a five-try 38-10 win against the Sharks last weekend.

The Italians were play-off quarter-finalists and head to Newport with a side featuring 13 international stars in the XV, including captain and flanker Michele Lamaro and star centre Tommaso Menoncello, the 2024 Six Nations player of the tournament.

“They are a quality side with good depth. They will have plenty of threats but we will look at what we can put on them,” said Williams.

“We are an exciting team with and without the ball, we feel that we can impose our game on teams in defence and attack.

“We have the physicality and can play into space with our kicking game as well. Our efficiency in the 22 is a lot better – the forwards are doing some impressive stuff in front of me – and we need to keep that going.”