DRAGONS fly-half Angus O’Brien wants to do something in Newcastle tomorrow that countless others have failed to do so far this season – make Gavin Henson feel the heat.

Former Wales and Lions playmaker Henson has made a hugely impressive start to life at Rodney Parade after signing from Bristol.

The 35-year-old has started in five of six games and been unflappable in the number 10 jersey, exuding calmness under pressure and always seeming to have time on the ball.

Henson has played in 394 of 480 minutes while O’Brien has had to make do with a quintet of cameos off the bench, all this after enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2016/17.

The 23-year-old from Caerleon played in 27 of 32 games last season with 19 of them as starting fly-half.

He has had to bide his time in the Bernard Jackman regime but intends to fight for the start.

“With Gavin coming in I knew it was going to be tricky for me, Dorian [Jones] and Arwel [Robson] with us all fighting for that 10 jersey,” said O’Brien.

“I’ve had to be patient but it’s also been a great opportunity for me to learn off him. While I’ve been on the bench or not involved I’ve just had to wait for an opportunity and then I need to take it.

“It is tough because you do want to be playing but the coaches pick the team and if you are not involved then you just have to work hard on your own game to be up for selection the next weekend.

“It is frustrating but all that you can do is pose questions for the coaches by training well and training hard, working on aspects of your game that they want you to work on so that when the opportunity comes you are ready.

“I am busting to play. My last start was in pre-season and if I get my opportunity then I will be really excited and hopefully I can take it.”

That chance is set to come at Kingston Park this weekend when the Dragons kick off their European Challenge Cup campaign against the Falcons.

O’Brien will be fired up to grasp a starting shot but the protégé intends to learn from his master by staying cool under pressure rather than getting overexcited.

“You pick up little pointers here and there and you speak to Gavin about things,” said O’Brien. “From watching him in training and games you see little things that he does.

“Everyone speaks about how he has got so much time on the ball and it shows that you don’t have to do everything at 100 miles an hour, especially as a 10 when you are that pivot and link-man.

“You have got time and you have to control your feet, that’s something I’ve been working on and it’s something that is really good in Gavin’s game.

“It’s vital that you don’t rush because that’s when errors will occur. It’s not about going out there and trying everything, it’s about sticking to the game plan, executing it and doing the right things at the right time.

“I’m not going to go out there to try and score five tries, flicking the ball out the back, it’s all about doing your job well and that’s across the board. If 15 of us do our jobs correctly and efficiently then we will work better as a team.”

The Dragons and Newcastle name their sides at midday with Jackman likely to tinker with his XV.