BEWARE the dangers of Kingsholm, Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner will warn his team ahead of Saturday’s EDF Energy Cup-tie against Gloucester.

For the second week running the Dragons will visit a West Country rugby stronghold following last week’s terrific rearguard action at the Bath Recreation Ground.

It is likely to be a much changed team after the efforts of the side in the Heineken Cup two weeks running, but Turner will tells his troops to be their guard against a club and at a ground he has considerable admiration for.

He was backs coach there six years ago and returned a few weeks ago to watch them beat Newcastle comfortably in the Guinness Premiership and discards their defeat by Cardiff Blues last week.

“They’ve got a good structure with a massive squad and from my time there in 2002 when they won the first Premiership title it was always a difficult place to go. A lot of sides get beaten before they go to Kingsholm, we don’t intend to be one one of those,” he said.

“But from a playing, business and supporters point of view I would say just go and see how English Premiership facilities and fan bases have improved in the last five years.

“Gloucester are the bastion of English support, they’re second to none, very loyal and supportive of their team and the city. But I was really impressed by the number of loyal fans we had in Bath which lifted the spirits of the team. We need to build on that. I was encouraged by our defensive performance against Bath which proved a lot of people wrong. I know how competitive we can be and the fact that we made 169 tackles in the game proves it with a 90% completion rate.

“We’re going to have to be as resolute at Kingsholm, but we need to play in the right areas and our ball supply and phase play have got to improve. When you’re in with the big boys you’ve got to keep the ball.

“We’re well aware of their record at Kingsholm and we’ll be picking a side to keep the momentum going.”

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan can’t make many changes because of a heavy injury list - No 8 Luke Narraway, full back Olly Morgan, outside half Ryan Lamb, centre Matthew Watkins, hooker Andy Titterell, prop Nick Wood, lock Will James and back row pair Gareth Delve and Akapusi Qera all ruled out and James Simpson-Daniel doubtful.

“The majority of people fit will be out on the field again and if we can get a win it will set us up well for the game against Newcastle the following week,” he said.

“We’ve had a talk after the defeat by Cardiff Blues, we will have some new players coming in but we are hoping to claim a win and we have to approach it as if it was a Heineken Cup match.”