NEWPORT Gwent Dragons may have cruised to victory against Bucharest but James Thomas believes the strong Romanian pack ensured it was a good tune-up for Sunday’s must-win encounter with Zebre.

The Rodney Parade region enjoyed back-to-back bonus-point wins against the Wolves in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, triumphing 37-10 in the cold of Bucharest before thrashing the minnows 69-17 in Newport.

It wasn’t the sternest of challenges to build up towards vital Guinness Pro12 fixtures with fellow strugglers Zebre and Cardiff Blues.

But the limited Romanians were no pushover up front and get the Dragons rigorous workout at the set piece, a facet of the game where the Italian teams usually thrive.

“It was tough out in Bucharest so to score that many points at home and play well was positive,” said 24-year-old blindside flanker/lock Thomas.

“It was tough up front and we knew what to expect from Bucharest. It was a really physical game, they were big and heavy up front and you really felt some of those hits.

“They weren’t a pushover so we had to play well to beat them and it was good to get a bit of confidence going back into the league.”

The Dragons will have to be sharper if they are to win only their second Pro12 game of the season, adding to the scalp of Treviso earned in September.

Thomas said: “Zebre have picked up their game in the last couple of seasons and they are above us in the league. We’ve got to be on top form to turn them over.

“If we beat Zebre then two games against the Blues over Christmas then we can turn the season around, it’s been a disappointing start but we can kick on and climb the table with three wins.”

Zebre climbed above the Dragons by beating Edinburgh last time out but head into the game on the back of a pair of Challenge Cup defeats to Gloucester.

The Dragons have won both Rodney Parade encounters with Zebre convincingly, 37-6 and 30-7, and also beat their predecessors Aironi on their two visits to Newport, 36-5 and 23-14.