THE improving Newport Gwent Dragons scrum faces a litmus test this weekend when they head to Aironi in the Magners League.

Italian teams are often derided for their lack of cutting edge but one aspect of their game that is never questioned is their set piece.

The Dragon have often been the polar opposite – dangerous in the backs but ridiculed up front – but they are grafting hard to change that image.

They continued to make strides in the win against Edinburgh last weekend with the pack more than holding their own in the scrum also managing to put the pressure on with a well-drilled driving maul from the lineout.

A key figure in the improvement has been loosehead prop Phil Price, an imposing lump of a man at 6ft 1ins and 18st 2lbs.

But the 22-year-old knows that the front row is going to face a stern examination when they head to northern Italy on Sunday.

“Aironi were good in the scrum when we played them at Rodney Parade and they will definitely be looking to dominate us at the weekend,” said Price.

“They won’t want to go backwards on their own patch and will be really up for it. It’s going to be a tough test but we have been improving recently.

“We are taking it game by game. We are not the biggest of packs but we are compact and we keep low to the ground (in the scrum).

“Danny Wilson is really pushing us on and he always comes in with fresh ideas – no training session is the same.

“All the coaches are very good and pick out every single detail about the opposition in analysis.”

Price, who started off at Bridgend before catching the eye of the Dragons hierarchy with Bedwas, is making a real impression in his first proper season of regional rugby.

He has made 16 appearances and scored his second try of the season against Edinburgh.

Price was the senior prop against the side from the Scottish capital and in many ways he is the example that tighthead Dan Way is looking to follow as he steps up from the Premiership to the Magners League, despite the Newport front-rower being a year older than him.

The loosehead, however, is not getting carried away and recognises that there is still plenty of room for development.

“I think that I am improving every game, especially in the scrum, but perhaps I need to work harder on my all-round game and get around the park and carry the ball a bit more.

“I am just trying to solidify my position as a starter and keep pushing on over the next few years (he is signed up until 2014).

“I am enjoying my rugby and the key thing for props is getting game time and going up against the best in the world.

“That’s happening for me at the moment and the experience is serving me well.”