NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Lyn Jones has called on his charges to make a fast start in their bid to rid their tag as Wales' worst-performing region.

The Rodney Parade region kick off their Guinness Pro12 campaign in Galway this evening before three home encounters with the Ospreys, Glasgow and Treviso.

The first month of the season will be vital if the Dragons are to avoid the ignominy of being the bottom region for a ninth time out of 12 seasons.

Jones believes that his side, Cardiff Blues, the Ospreys and Scarlets are "nip and tuck" and has called for his players to come flying out of the blocks.

"If we can have a good start in September then everything carries through on a wave," said the director of rugby.

"The Celtic League has always been about momentum and you'd be surprised how once you get on a good run things just click, confidence comes and you are away."

The Dragons have won their opening league game for the past two seasons but head to the Sportsground with a miserable record.

They have won just three times in Ireland and their sole success in Galway came when Andy Marinos skippered them to a 32-14 win in May, 2004.

"Not a lot of teams win at the Sportsground," said Jones. "Connacht have always been very effective and efficient.

"We are going out there without any preconceived ideas. We have played three friendlies without studying the opposition and it's the same with Connacht.

"We are focused on our own performance and what we can do. As long as we are correct in our game the result will look after itself."

The Dragons hand debuts to five players – captain and full-back Lee Byrne, loosehead Boris Stankovich, tighthead Lloyd Fairbrother, lock Rynard Landman and number eight Andy Powell – while 17-year-old centre Barney Nightingale is set for his regional bow off the bench.

They head into the game on a back of a super 27-25 win against English champions Northampton but know that they will be judged on the scoreline come 7pm.

"It was nice to get a win against Northampton but Connacht will be our benchmark and we have to progress throughout the season," said scrum-half Jonathan Evans.