CAPTAIN Lee Byrne has asked the Newport Gwent Dragons faithful to turn Rodney Parade into a bear pit on Friday night to expose the Ospreys to the type of atmosphere that he used to dread.

The Ospreys have been the standard bearers for Welsh rugby over the past 11 seasons yet they have frequently come unstuck in Newport.

They have been turned over eight times in 10 league games at Rodney Parade and seasoned internationals have got into meltdown, much to the delight of the vociferous home support.

The Liberty Stadium outfit profited from last season's game being part of Judgement Day at the Millennium Stadium, running out 20-10 victors, but they must head all the way east for Friday's Guinness Pro12 encouter (kick-off 7.30pm).

Byrne will lead the Dragons out and is relishing the chance to be under the high ball with the backing of the home support rather than copping the flak as he did in an Ospreys jersey.

"I've had the privilege of playing in some big stadiums and I can tell you that it's not nice when you are on the receiving end of a Rodney Parade crowd," said the 34-year-old.

"I say to the fans to keep doing what they do because it's an old-fashioned ground that keeps the atmosphere in and when I was at the Pro12 launch most of the other skippers said it was the most daunting place to come.

"We have got to take that as a compliment but we also know that we have a responsibility as a squad to play well for the crowd and get them going."

The tables turned on lock Ian Gough when the Rodney Parade favourite moved to the Ospreys in 2007. Now the 37-year-old is back in Dragons colours and hopes to play his part in creating another evening to remember in Newport.

"It's going to be a humdinger and I am expecting massive things from the Gwent faithful," said Gough.

"We just want to put something on that stage that the fans can be proud of so they get behind us and create an atmosphere that is beyond hostile.

"At the Ospreys we used to both love and hate going to Rodney Parade because it's a proper rugby atmosphere and a proper rugby stadium. It's up to us to deliver things for the fans to get behind."