HOOKER Rhys Lawrence hopes to get the chance to finish what Richard Hibbard has started when the Dragons try to end their Guinness PRO14 away hoodoo at Benetton on Saturday (kick-off 1pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade region travel to Treviso, the scene of their last league triumph on the road in March, 2015.

The embarrassing losing streak is now 40 games, although neither Lawrence or Hibbard can be blamed for that after arriving last summer.

The former signed from Ealing Trailfinders with the ex Scarlet returning home after moving to England in 2011 with Bristol.

Lawrence headed to Rodney Parade with his eyes wide open about the challenge ahead given that he had Wales hooker Elliot Dee and former Lions front rower Hibbard ahead of him in the pecking order.

But their reliability has led to the 30-year-old from Swansea managing just seven games, all as a replacement, and 152 minutes.

"With Hibbard and Elliot here I always knew that it would be tough to break through into the team, they are world class," said Lawrence.

"I came here without delusions, I knew where I stood and have taken it from there.

"Any time that I play or train I look for consistency, even if I am on for 10 minutes I have to make my tackles and hit my throws.

"As long as they can see me as consistent and providing something for the team then I am showing my worth.

"You want to prove to a coach that you are capable of playing but I am confident in my own ability. I'd like to think that I can come on, make an impact and add something positive.

"It's tough when Hibbs is such a leader and is needed on the pitch but whatever is best for the team is best for me.

"I am enjoying the opportunity and experience at this level but I do this to play, that's what I enjoy the most. The more minutes the better."

The tight five will be to the fore against a Benetton side that sit third in Conference B, level on points with second-placed Edinburgh.

The Italians triumphed at Rodney Parade on the opening weekend of the season and have lost just one of their last 10 matches, at Harlequins in the Challenge Cup in December.

Benetton have picked up 23 points from their last six in the PRO14, a tally that only Leinster and Munster can better.

"They are going to come at us up front," said Lawrence. "They will come to scrum, lineout maul they will come after us so our defence will be tested.

"They are big boys and will pick and go. We need to be disciplined because they have a good driving maul and a few trick plays up their sleeve as well. We will be kept on our toes.

"We definitely can't do what we did last week at Edinburgh and switch off for the last 20 minutes."

The Dragons name their team at midday tomorrow.