THERE may a strong Dragons influence at Pandy Park tomorrow but number eight Adam Powell insists it will be a typical dogged Cross Keys performance in their British and Irish Cup opener.

Keys open their campaign against Doncaster Knights after securing the right to represent the region in the cross-border competition by winning the Gwent playoffs.

Newport Gwent Dragons held discussions with all four of their Premiership clubs before the qualifiers about how they would approach the tournament regardless of which of the quartet progressed.

The result is that a number of regional players will make their Keys debuts against the Yorkshiremen while Dragons academy staff James Chapron and Shaun Connor have joined the management team.

Some tough conversations had to be held with some Keys regulars that will watch from the stands but figures like Powell, centre Leon Andrews, lock Dan Hodge and scrum-half James Leadbeater will be among those leading the charge.

"We've got a few Dragons boys with us but the core of the squad is Keys and we have regional players like Scott Andrews, Luke Garrett that have come through with us," said vice-captain Powell.

"I think keeping the spine of our side is vital and there will be injuries and squad rotation so I am sure that everyone in the Keys squad will get a chance.

"I know that it's hard for the boys that helped us qualify and are now missing out but I am sure everyone will play their part throughout the campaign."

Keys take on Doncaster this weekend then head to Bedford and the Cornish Pirates. The Premiership then returns for a four-week block before the BIC quarter-finalists are settled by mid-November.

All four sides will fancy their chances of qualification given that they have avoided Leinster A, Munster A, Bristol and Worcester.

And Keys will look to claim a few more scalps after previously enjoying wins against the Pirates, Moseley, Ealing and Connacht in the tournament.

"It's a great chance to get outside of Wales and play some big teams from England," said Powell. "We like going up against well-organised, strong teams and see how they defend against the Keys way of playing."

BRITISH AND IRISH CUP

Pool One: PONTYPRIDD, London Scottish, Bristol, Connacht

Pool Two: Rotherham Titans, Leeds Carnegie, Ulster Ravens, ABERAVON

Pool Three: Worcester Warriors, Nottingham, Moseley, Munster A

Pool Four: CROSS KEYS, Cornish Pirates, Doncaster Knights, Bedford Blues

Pool Five: Leinster A, Plymouth Albion, CARMARTHEN QUINS, Jersey

(Pool winners plus three best runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals)