DRAGONS Premiership Select XV boss James Chapron says his young charges to need repeat the spirit from their British & Irish Cup opener when they entertain Jersey tomorrow afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Reds, runners-up in last season’s tournament, head to the 3G surface of Ystrad Mynach (kick-off 2.30pm) to face a Dragons team beaten by London Scottish last week.

The Gwent side did leave Richmond with a losing bonus point but their 27-20 defeat means they have no margin for error against powerful English Championship opposition.

Academy manager James Chapron was encouraged by the togetherness shown against Scottish, but knows that have to up their game against Jersey.

“There was a 20-minute period before and after half-time when we could have capitulated,” he said. “Scottish got on top and we had two yellow cards.

“The determination to get back into the game and be in with a chance of clawing something out of it shows how good the squad spirit is.

“The boys have gelled together and really believe in the team, so there is something to build on when you have those ingredients.”

“Scottish, to be fair, exploited us at the set piece, so we have to work hard at that because Jersey will be bigger and better,” he continued.

“They are probably more threatening up front than Scottish; they are bigger and heavier.

“Jersey won’t rotate as much and will come at us with more of their first team, so it will be a bigger challenge.”

Dragons prop Phil Price captains a side that features Lewis Evans with the experienced back rower making his first appearance of the season after a summer Achilles injury.

Fly-half Dorian Jones moves to midfield to allow Arwel Robson to return at 10 after a summer operation on a long-standing hip problem.

Will Talbot Davies starts at full-back after playing in the Challenge Cup against Newcastle last week while Owain Leonard, an unused replacement at Kingston Park, starts at scrum-half.

Entry is free for Dragons season ticket holders.

Dragons: W Talbot-Davies, J Goodchild (Cross Keys), C Smith (Newport), D Jones, R Dyer, A Robson, O Leonard, P Price, E Shipp, K Bale, S Andrews, L Randall (Ebbw Vale), L Evans, N Hudd (Bedwas), J Sheekey. Replacements: A Rees (Bedwas), J Lavender (Newport), G Harris (Newport), J Skinner (Cross Keys), B Roach, J Leadbeater (Cross Keys), B Nightingale (Cross Keys).