NEWPORT Gwent Dragons prop Boris Stankovich says a shock Guinness Pro12 win in Dublin has given them the belief to end another hoodoo in their season finale in Cork on Saturday afternoon.

The Dragons will be overwhelming underdogs at Musgrave Park as they lock horns with a Munster side looking for a win, ideally with a bonus point, that could see them sneak above the Ospreys or Ulster to earn a home Guinness Pro12 semi-final.

Added to that is a woeful record in Munster with 10 straight losses since triumphing at Thomond Park in Limerick in the first season of regional rugby.

But Lyn Jones' side, who cannot improve on their ninth-placed finish, have upset the odds a number of times this term.

They triumphed with bonus points at Stade Francais and Newcastle in the Challenge Cup, won at Cardiff Blues for the first time since 2003, recorded a first ever league win in Treviso and in February they stunned Leinster on their own patch for the first time, ending a seven-year wait for a win in Ireland.

"We are going there with no excuses because we have beaten Leinster away and the boys are looking forward to having a good crack in our last game of the season," said seasoned loosehead Stankovich.

"But Munster are a proud side and will be looking to earn a home semi-final so we are under no illusions of how tough it will be."

Stankovich was to the fore in a much-improved performance by the pack in last Friday's 19-5 win against Edinburgh.

And the former Leicester man knows the pack will need to take it up another level against Paul O'Connell & Co, who had the nudge on Ulster in their dramatic 23-23 draw in Belfast last Saturday.

"Munster pride themselves on their forward work but we are looking forward to it," he said. "Our set piece has to front up again and our line speed in defence will also be crucial.

"Your kicking game against Irish teams has to be top-notch because bad kicks put you in bad field position and away from home in Ireland they will get you."

Stankovich, 35, has become a cult figure at Rodney Parade despite knee and calf injuries limiting him to 15 appearances.

"I've really enjoyed my first season," he said. "I knew leaving Leicester things would be a lot different but I've enjoyed it more so because the boys are such a tight unit.

"At Leicester you had players going away with internationals and at different times of the year we had guys going out and others coming in.

"There has been a steady collective at the Dragons and I'm already looking forward to next season – five more years!"