THE frustration at a woeful Rodney Parade showing will be providing the motivation for Aironi when they host Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Italians have had a tough first season in the Magners League with a record of played 13 lost 13.

One of those defeats came against the Dragons at the Parade in October in an encounter that was far from a classic.

The hosts crossed for three tries in a 36-5 success but it was the left boot of Jason Tovey that did most of the damage.

The fly-half kicked 19 points to punish the indiscipline of an Aironi side that received three yellow cards and one red.

The Italians have suffered 18 defeats in all competitions this season – their solitary win being a remarkable Heineken Cup victory against quarter-finalists Biarritz – yet that one against the Dragons really rankles.

"The game in Newport was probably our lowest moment of the season, and I mean that as no disrespect to the Dragons," said their Welsh head coach Rowland Phillips.

"We didn’t create anything or play any good rugby. It was just a huge disappointment.

"As a team we feel that we are a lot better than we showed that night so will want to prove that this weekend.

"The Dragons are a very physical and dangerous team. They are an honest group of players that work hard for each other, so it will be a tough game."

Losing is a habit that Phillips didn’t experience too much when leading Neath to four Premiership titles on the spin.

Unfortunately he did suffer plenty of defeats when he joined the coaching setup at Ebbw Vale last season – 14 from 18 games on their way to relegation.

But the Dragons had better beware as the Italians seem to be getting closer to that elusive win.

Last week they earned a losing bonus point in a 21-16 defeat to Leinster in Dublin while the Blues struggled past them 24-13 at Cardiff City Stadium.

However, Phillips insists that their winless season only a big deal for outsiders.

He said: "A lot is being made about us having lost every game but that goes to show how hard the Magners League is and I honestly feel that we are making huge strides.

"This season has been a bit of an eye opener and the biggest thing has been the intensity of the league. Playing tough games week in, week out hardens players. We are not going to chase results because that is when you lose sight of trying to make improvements.

"However, we should have won our last two games – and that’s not just a rallying cry, it’s reality.

"We had our chances against Leinster and Cardiff Blues but those little things didn’t go for us.

"Hopefully that will change but for me it is all about making little one per cent improvements, keep doing that and the win will come."