ED Jackson says Newport Gwent Dragons are going full pelt this week as players battle to earn their spots for the big Guinness Pro12 kick-off.

The Rodney Parade side play their final pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon when they make the short trip to Cardiff Blues (kick-off 12.30pm).

After using more than 30 players against both Nottingham and the Scarlets, the Dragons team that takes to the plastic pitch in the capital will bear a close resemblance to the one that will be turning out against Connacht in Galway a week on Friday.

And back row forward Jackson, a summer recruit from Wasps, says that summer feeling has gone at the Ystrad Mynach training base as competition hots up.

"There's definitely a feeling that the first league game is around the corner and intensity has picked up in training," said the 26-year-old from Bath.

"The way pre-season pans out is that at first it's a learning process but now we are in the nitty gritty so that we can go full pelt. There is a bit more detail and trying to ingrain habits that we want for the season.

"There's only one game left now and everyone wants to be involved against Connacht.

"Every minute during pre-season is important but as it progresses there is less room for excuses about being rusty – if you want to be involved in that first game then you have to put in a good performance."

Jackson hopes to benefit from an unexpected longer shift in last week's clash with the Scarlets in Newport.

The number eight, who is also an option on the blindside, was called from the bench after just two minutes when Nick Crosswell suffered a blow to the knee (the New Zealander has since been given the all clear).

Jackson said: "I was in the changing room tucking into a banana looking forward to watching the first half when I got the shout! But getting 60 minutes was good because now it won't be such a shock to the system.

"Nottingham played well against us in the first half but the Scarlets game had that extra bite to it and I am sure it will be up another level again in Cardiff.

"Even though it's a friendly these high intensity matches against other Welsh regions are the ones that you want to be involved in.

"I am sure it will be very loud there, just as it was last weekend at Rodney Parade, so it should be a lot of fun."