BOSS Bernard Jackman is confident a win against Southern Kings this afternoon will calm the Dragons down and have a snowball effect – and has challenged his new-look team to set their benchmark.

The Rodney Parade region are hunting their first Guinness PRO14 win since last September when they entertain the South Africans in Newport (kick-off 3pm).

The pressure on Jackman and his side has intensified after an error-strewn display in last week's home 21-17 loss to Benetton, making today a must-win clash even though it is just round two of the campaign.

However, the head coach insists that their 17-game streak without a league success - going back to last season's meeting between the sides - doesn't heap extra heat on his side.

"We were under pressure last week, we're under pressure every week to try and get points," said the former Ireland hooker.

"Internally we want to put our best foot forward and show we're better than we played last week. That's the biggest driver.

"We know that if we play to the level we can we're more than capable of winning this game and any game. We need to build that level of understanding, put a performance in and be consistent.

"When you're putting a new team together you're always striving to get your benchmark. We made so many errors, last week wasn't our benchmark. We need to make sure it's better this week."

Jackman has enjoyed just seven wins from 32 games in his reign at Rodney Parade but is confident that an eighth success will lead to brighter times.

"I honestly do, [if we get it] by hook or by crook," he said. "Everyone will settle down, and it will get the monkey of our backs.

"It's not just for me, six other (PRO14) coaches are going through the same process this week having lost in the first round.

"We all want to get a win this week, everyone who got a win will want a second one too. Definitely for us it will calm everyone down and we can then keep working on getting better."

Jackman gave eight players debuts last weekend and hands a Dragons bow to Wales and Lions powerhouse Ross Moriarty, who was suspended for the Benetton game.

He slots in at number eight with Ollie Griffiths moving to openside and Aaron Wainwright slotting at blindside.

"We have great personnel it's just getting everyone on the same page, which is the challenge when you have 14 new players but we brought in 14 new players because we feel they can add something to us and we're confident that they are going to."

The Dragons make five changes to their side with fly-half Gavin Henson out because of the knee problem that disrupted his pre-season.

Josh Lewis, a summer signing from Bath, wears 10 on his back with Jackman changing his tight five by bringing in loosehead Brok Harris, hooker Elliot Dee and lock Matthew Screech.