COACH Shaun Connor has warned Newport Gwent Dragons that Munster will attempt to put them in a headlock inside their own half with a kick-heavy approach, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons are looking to win back-to-back Guinness Pro12 games for the first time since April 2015 when they welcome the Irish province to Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 5.15pm).

They spluttered to an 11-6 success against Zebre last weekend and know that they must up their game against a Munster side smarting from a defeat to Cardiff Blues in Cork.

The Dragons won the corresponding fixture 22-6 last season but Connor knows their resilient guests will be a tough nut to crack with Rassie Erasmus now at the helm.

"Munster have changed the way they defend and you can see that they have a South African in charge because they are very well structured and organised," said the former fly-half.

"They are the lowest passing team in the league in the first two games and probably the highest for kicks; their game is about putting pressure on and playing in the right areas.

"It's effective for them and they try to get you in your half and squeeze you. We saw from the Scarlets game (a 23-13 win in round one) that when they get into your 22 they are very powerful and effective."

The Dragons are wary of being caught inside their own territory but they are also committed to playing more with ball in hand this season.

Against Zebre they showed attacking intent only to shoot themselves in the foot with handling errors, turning the ball over 12 times inside the Italians' 22.

"There were two or three instances where we got tackled into touch, which is criminal for wide players, penalties, lost lineouts. There was an accumulation of things," lamented Connor.

"The positive is that we are creating opportunities to put pressure on the opposition and now it's about us executing better."

The planned more expansive approach has led to a summer of work on basic skills, with numbers 1 to 8 expected to play their part in the loose as well as in the tight.

"The hardest thing is trying to get forwards to make decisions when they are in the wider channels," said Connor.

"Rather than just running decoy lines all the time and over-running backs they have to be genuine options.

"We feel we have gone some way towards rectifying that problem this week and hopefully it will come through on the weekend."

The teams are named at midday with flanker Ollie Griffiths (shoulder), lock Cory Hill (ear), tighthead Craig Mitchell (dead leg) and full-back Carl Meyer (head) back in contention after missing the Zebre fixture.

Munster are set to include Ireland and Lions internationals Conor Murray and Keith Earls for the first time this season.