IAN Gough admits that the Newport Gwent Dragons young guns are leaving the seasoned campaigners sweating on their places.

The 37-year-old made his return for the region in last weekend’s Guinness Pro12 defeat to Connacht off the bench and is poised for a starting role against the Ospreys tomorrow evening.

But he knows that if he doesn’t perform then he will get the axe with Matthew Screech and Cory Hill, who did not travel to Galway, ready to take his spot.

“The youngsters coming through have been superb,” he said. “The likes of Elliot Dee, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos sprinkled through the side, they are local guys coming through showing the way.

“Elliot, a young 20-year-old, put Rhys Thomas, a 27-cap Wales international, on the bench at Connacht last weekend.

“That’s what we are asking these youngsters to do, put in performances and train well to make internationals fear for their places. That’s the environment we want.”

Gough has been denied a reunion with his old second row teammate Alun Wyn Jones as the Ospreys are resting him following his summer exertions for Wales in South Africa.

The 28-year-old lock is one of the stars of world rugby and Gough has urged the next generation to follow his lead in their bid to reach the top.

“He is a class player, a Lion and the Ospreys captain,” said Gough. “I saw him come through the ranks and he is a very impressive player that consistently does everything very well.

“When Northampton came here in pre-season they brought a full crew and a few of the guys were gulping, but it’s great because what better people to test yourself against than British Lions and players with 70-odd caps?

“It’s how reputations are made and broken because when Alun Wyn was a kid coming through he knocked a lot of people off the tree.

“You are there as a player to do that, you respect people but shouldn’t be in awe of them because that’s the spot you want.”