A TOUGH test is facing the Newport Gwent Dragons pack against Aviva Premiership side Sale on Friday, but forwards coach Danny Wilson is convinced they are up to the task.

He is particularly impressed with the big strides made by loose head prop Phil Price, his form also noted by Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Phil has been superb, he’s played against some really experienced tight heads in recent weeks, but he has had the better of John Hayes, Census Jonhston and Moray Low - and he can also play around the park,” said Wilson.

Head coach Paul Turner added: “A lot of people have noted his contributions, Danny has named a few but there was also a second tight head Dan Humaan in Toulouse and Ryan Grant, a big, heavy prop who replaced Low for Glasgow, so Phil has been doing a great job.

“The forwards are going well, and it’s credit to Danny, but we have lacked real cohesion and it’s something we’ve got to make happen because when we are playing well we’re a match for anyone.”

Wilson didn’t stop at Price, though. “Both Dan and Toby have been playing really well, they are youngsters who have proved they can play on the big stage,” he said.

“And Luke Charteris has hit form recently after receiving a couple of bumps.

“He had an excellent game against Glasgow in the line-out and around the park, he must be disappointed not to be in the Wales squad.

“Scott Roberts has played well in the Premiership, I worked with him for the Cardiff Blues academy and he can play both sides of the scrum but is a better loose head. He’s got good hands and he can add to the squad.

“Recently, we’ve had consistency in selection and we’re improved in the set piece, the scrum has functioned better and a couple have been getting game time, like Phil Price.”

Though the Dragons are topping their group in the LV Cup, Turner said: “We beat Gloucester then lost to a really strong Northampton side so we’ve got to win both games against Sale and the Scarlets.

“I felt we played really well in the first half against a strong wind on Sunday, but we had a couple of 50-50 decisions go against us.

“At 16-6 up we should have gone on and won the game and there was still an opportunity at 16-16, that was the real disappointment.

“Had we won, statistically we would have been the same as last season.”