NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Lyn Jones has hailed the British and Irish Cup campaign a success despite the Premiership Select XV facing a dead rubber against Connacht in Ebbw Vale tomorrow afternoon.

The Dragons took over responsibility for the cross-border competition this season but after a promising start have come a cropper against the powerful packs of Doncaster and Jersey.

It means they have no chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals but they will want to sign off on a high against the Eagles at Eugene Cross Park (kick-off 2pm).

The Dragons have blooded plenty of young talent in the tournament and director of rugby Jones believes they will profit from the experience of slugging it out with seasoned campaigners from over the border.

"The competition has been outstanding for our young players and we are delighted with how it's gone," he said. "It's a step up for the players, a real eye opener and a fantastic and positive experience.

"These young players now understand about what is needed for the next step and the intensity of games against strong, heavy English sides – it's a real battle and the first to blink loses."

The Dragons use the clash against Connacht to blood more young talent with Cross Keys fly-half Josh Prosser given the chance to shine after impressing in the Principality Premiership.

He will be charged with sparking a back line that includes Dragons academy prospects Connor Edwards and George Gasson, who have been in fine form for Bedwas.

Owen Davies starts at scrum-half in the absence of Luc Jones, who suffered an ankle injury in the loss in Jersey last week, another promising academy number nine is his back-up on the bench in Owain Leonard.

Gasson, number eight Harri Keddie and replacement tighthead Leon Brown and replacement centre/wing Barney Nightingale are looking to impress ahead of their Six Nations campaign with Wales Under-20s.

Senior experience is provided by centre Ross Wardle, wing Aled Brew, front rowers Hugh Gustafson, Rhys Buckley and Lloyd Fairbrother, flanker James Benjamin and Newport captain and lock Adam Brown.

The Dragons started the campaign with a 34-10 win at the Sportsground in Galway before edging out Jersey 30-27 at Cross Keys.

However, three losses on the spin to Doncaster, 21-16 in Yorkshire and 49-17 at Ystrad Mynach, and Jersey, 24-12 last Saturday, have condemned them to finishing third in Pool Five.

Dragons: Llywarch Ap Myrddin (Newport RFC), George Gasson, Connor Edwards (Dragons Academy/ Bedwas), Ross Wardle (Dragons), Aled Brew (Dragons), Josh Prosser (Cross Keys), Owen Davies (Dragons/ Newport RFC); Hugh Gustafson (captain, Dragons), Rhys Buckley (Dragons), Lloyd Fairbrother (Dragons), Scott Andrews (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Adam Brown (Newport RFC), Scott Matthews (Cross Keys), James Benjamin (Dragons), Harri Keddie (Dragons/ Ebbw Vale).

Replacements: Luke Garrett (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Leon Brown (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Josh Skinner (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Andrew Waite (Bedwas), Owain Leonard (Dragons Academy/ Cross Keys), Barney Nightingale (Dragons/ Newport RFC), Aaron Warren (Dragons).