FLANKER Nic Cudd believes the Dragons' defence in Dublin gives reason for optimism ahead of Saturday's must-win Guinness PRO14 clash with Zebre – despite shipping a half-century of points.

The Rodney Parade region are back on home soil on Saturday to face the Italians (kick-off 5.15pm) after enduring another league away loss.

The Dragons conceded seven tries to Leinster at the Royal Dublin Society with the PRO14 and European champions showing their class with ball in hand.

Head coach Bernard Jackman praised his side's scrambling defence in a first half that saw the hosts lead just 10-0 with the clock in the red and breakdown specialist Cudd took encouragement from the way the Dragons battled against heavyweights.

"It's a funny one because we lost by 52 points but there were a lot of positives defensively. That sounds strange," he said.

"And when we had the ball eventually in the first half it would have been great to come away with some points because we played some good rugby in that small period, but let them off the hook.

"Leinster are not the champions of Europe for nothing, in that first half we didn't have the ball. There was some great last-ditch defending but the pressure told in the end.

"In the second half it went from 17 points to 30-odd very quickly and next thing we were just hanging in there.

"No-one outside the Dragons expected us to go to Leinster and win. There were positives and we have to take them back to Rodney Parade, put in a performance against Zebre and get the result.

"It's a good opportunity but Zebre are a strong team and aren't as weak as some people make them out to be, they are well organised.

"It's going to be a tough game but we will be on our game and hopefully will come away with that all-important win."

Cudd missed all of last season after rupturing knee ligaments in pre-season and after enjoying game time in the Premiership with Cross Keys and Bargoed was thrilled to be back in a Dragons jersey.

"It's great to be back," he said. "I was tired towards the end but would have been anyway even without my injury.

"It was a long time out and I am glad to have my first PRO14 game back. Hopefully I can continue from here."

The openside joined forces with Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright in the back row with Ollie Griffiths, man of the match versus the Kings in round two, dropping down to the bench.

Jackman is blessed with a wealth of options for jerseys 6,7 and 8 with Cudd hoping to provide the head coach with a selection headache.

"Everybody loves talking about the back row competition. It's great for the team with the likes of Harri Keddie, James Benjamin and others still to come back in," he said.

"We keep working together and pushing each other to produce good performances. We just need to keep building our depth."

The Dragons will be forced into at least one change with injured wing Hallam Amos, set for a month out with a dislocated elbow, likely to be replaced by Jared Rosser, who scored five tries for the A team in their weekend Celtic Cup win against Connacht Eagles.