FULL-BACK Geraint Rhys Jones hopes that ruling the air in Parma will ensure Newport Gwent Dragons triumph against Guinness Pro12 basement outfit Zebre on Sunday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons head to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi attempting to avoid a first defeat to the Italian club, who prop up the table with just two wins from their 15 games.

Jones is poised to return from a quad problem for Jason Tovey, who is sidelined by an ankle injury, and he expects an aerial examination.

"Zebre are a strong, physical team but will put the ball in the air a lot as well. We have got to be secure and safe under those high balls," said the 27-year-old.

"It's a real art for the back three and we work on taking those high balls a lot in training," he continued.

"That aerial battle, with defences being so good, is important and hopefully we will keep improving in that area."

The decisions made by full-backs are increasingly important and the Dragons will look for Jones to frequently put his left boot to ball in order to avoid getting pinned in their own territory and risk a penalty that enables Zebre to put their driving lineout to use.

"There is a time and a place to run the ball back," said Jones. "A lot of the time you are the only man back there so don't want to go running off on your own and get turned over because you'll have the whole team and the coaches on your back!

"You have got to pick the right time when to kick and when to run."

Wales Sevens international Jones has made 13 appearances in his first full season with the Dragons since devoting himself to the 15-man format.

And after seeing Tovey impress after moving back to full-back from fly-half in the shock win against champions Leinster in Dublin, he knows that it's important to impress against Zebre.

"Anyone who gets a chance in the starting XV has been taking them and you know you have got to be on top of your game," he said.

"I've got a few games under my belt this season and I'm looking to build on those performance to keep my place in the team."