NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones has challenged his squad to play with the intensity that they did at a packed Principality Stadium in the more humble surroundings of Myreside and Caerphilly in the final two rounds of the Guinness PRO12.

The Dragons have not won in any competition since beating Enisei-STM on January 16 but emerged with some pride after pushing the play-off chasing Scarlets hard at Judgement Day.

The west Walians were overwhelming favourites for the clash in the capital after naming a side featuring nine players in their XV who had played in this year's Six Nations.

However, the Dragons led at half-time and were level on the hour until tries by Lions pair Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams.

Nonetheless, Jones' side had the final say with wing Adam Hughes' try at the death earning a bonus point that their graft deserved.

Now the boss has demanded his players show the same intensity at Edinburgh on Friday and against Cardiff Blues in Caerphilly on Saturday, May 6.

"We want to finish above Edinburgh," said the head coach, with the Scots having a two-point lead. "It's been a tough season and it hasn't been a great season, we know that, but there is still an opportunity to finish ninth.

"We fancy our chances against the Blues in a derby. They were exceptional against the Ospreys and are a decent team, but we fancy our chances.

"Edinburgh are in the same boat as us and we have to go there and believe we can win. We have to bring that application, intensity and belief (from Judgement Day).

"That's the challenge for the group. If we do that then we have the chance of finishing ninth, because there was never any doubt that the players would be motivated for a game like the one against the Scarlets."

Jones' call has been echoed by flanker Ollie Griffiths, who was encouraged by the Dragons' display against a Scarlets side who have won 15 of 17 in the PRO12.

"That was the best that we have performed for 60 to 70 minutes in a long time," said 22-year-old, who was man of the match at Principality Stadium.

"The energy and passion from the boys was up there with the best that I've been involved in but we can't just turn up for the big games like that. We need to bring that energy to places like Zebre when we are not in front of 50 to 60,000 people."

The Dragons trail Edinburgh by two points with two rounds left while they lead Treviso and Zebre by two and three points respectively.

Zebre travel to Cardiff Blues this weekend while Treviso host Munster. Edinburgh head to Glasgow on final day while Treviso are guests in Parma.