HEAD coach Kingsley Jones wants Newport Gwent Dragons to show more attacking spark to go along with a solid set piece in their final Guinness Pro12 warm-up on Saturday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade side make the short trip to the capital to face Cardiff Blues (kick-off 12.30pm) for their final fixture before the league opener against Connacht in Galway on Friday, September 4.

The Dragons started the summer with a 48-12 victory against spirited English Championship side Nottingham before going down to the Scarlets in Newport last weekend.

They were leading 20-5 in the opening stages of the second half before being hit by 24 unanswered points but Jones believes it was a useful workout, especially for his forwards.

"Our driving game picked up where it left off last season, three of our tries came from lineouts and our scrum was on top throughout," said the former Wales flanker.

"I was really pleased with those areas and we need to put it together with our attacking game. The Scarlets were excellent at the breakdown and we didn't keep hold of the ball as well as we'd like.

"Now it's just a case of touching up on a few things that need to be good against Connacht and getting the basics right."

The Dragons will operate with a trimmed down squad in Cardiff after using 38 players against the Scarlets but will mull over whether they need to give game time to certain key individuals such as experienced props Brok Harris and Boris Stankovich.

"There are players we need to see playing, there are players who need to play and others who don't need to play," said Jones.

"The ones that get the start will be looking to put in a good performance to earn it for the following week but even if we did name what we thought was the XV for Connacht I am sure three or four would force their way in.

"We look forward to the challenge at the Blues and it's about trying a few combinations under pressure.

"We could give up to 25 players an opportunity and it's up to them to put their hands up for Connacht."