NEWPORT Gwent Drag-ons coach Paul Turner has appealed to Rodney Parade’s 16th man going into Sunday’s Magners League match against Edinburgh.

If the Dragons win - or even get a losing bonus point - they will be certain of a Heineken Cup place next season because the Scarlets couldn’t catch them. And if the Blues win at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night, that would also virtually give the Dragons a place at European rugby’s top table.

But they are still harbouring hopes of reaching a play-off position at the first attempt and victory over an Edinburgh team lying fourth in the table would be a significant boost in that direction.

To that end Turner is urging the fans to support the side against Scottish opposition in much the same way as they do for a Welsh derby.

The atmosphere in their last home game against the Ospreys was red hot and it undoubtedly got to a few visiting players, even some established internationals, while the next match at Rodney Parade against Cardiff Blues a week tomorrow could well be a sell-out.

“We’re pretty quick to criticise Welsh teams and get at them, but this is a very good Scottish team and we want the fans to get behind us again,” said Turner.

“Edinburgh have got a good pack and a strong set piece, and they can play a flat track game and you can see why they won quite easily against the Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium and why they won at Parc y Scarlets. They can go to places like Thomond Park and perform, so we’ve got to match that.”

Turner has drafted Cross Keys hooker Lloyd Burns into a 25-man squad with Steve Jones and Duane Goodfield injured.

Echoing Newport coach Sven Cronk’s words about greater ties with the Dragons, Turner said: “It’s what we’ve got underneath, as there is no A team football we’ve got to look at the Premiership clubs and players like Andrew Coombs coming through is a real plus for us.”

Joe Bearman is named in the squad for the first time since December while Luke Charteris has reported fit after injuring his neck against Glasgow.

Squad: M Thomas, W Harries, A Smith, R Gomer-Davies, M Watkins, T Riley, R Fussell, J Tovey, J Arlidge, W Evans, J Leadbeater, A Walker, H Gustafson, T Willis (captain), L Burns, B Castle, P Palmer, R Sidoli, L Charteris, H MacDonald, A Coombs, J Bearman, T Faletau, G Webb, G Thomas.