RODNEY Parade has forged a reputation as being a loud ground but scrum-half Sarel Pretorius says Newport Gwent Dragons need to bring the noise on the pitch.

The Dragons host Sale in their European Rugby Challenge Cup opener tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3.15pm) on the back of a frustrating Guinness Pro12 loss to Ulster.

Lyn Jones' side were beaten 19-12 and, just like after their wins against Zebre and Treviso, were left to lament their lack of a cutting edge.

They have scored just two home tries this season (and conceded one) while their total tally is just nine in seven fixtures.

"We put Ulster under a lot of pressure and played in the right areas of the pitch but we need to get over the whitewash," said Pretorius, who has sniped over for three tries.

"We have created a lot of opportunities but need to finish them off. The outside backs need to speak up more if they want the ball and if there's no-one in front of them or a two-on-one situation.

"The forwards are doing all the hard work and grinding away to create overlaps so we have to get the ball in the wingers' hands to finish it off."

Pretorius has made a bright start to life at Rodney Parade since arriving late in the summer following his Super Rugby commitments with the Cheetahs.

After getting to grips with the Pro12 he is preparing for the Challenge Cup as the Dragons attempt to reach the knockout stages for the second season running.

"It's a new tournament and a new challenge," he said. "I'm looking forward to a different type of game.

"We've got a tough draw with Castres and Pau as well as, it's not going to be easy but we will see what we can do. The boys are confident."

Pretorius is paired with Dorian Jones again as director of rugby Lyn Jones keeps faith with the side that pushed Ulster hard.

The only change comes in the back row where Lewis Evans swaps with Taulupe Faletau, who suffered a blow to the knee last weekend and faces a late fitness test to see if he can slot in on the bench.

Evans comes in at blindside with Ed Jackson returning to his preferred position of number eight. Nick Crosswell, back from suspension, is likely to step up if Faletau doesn't get the green light.

Sale have rung the changes after a promising start in the Aviva Premiership with England ace Danny Cipriani left out of their matchday 23.

However, boss Steve Diamond isn't a man to wave a white flag and he wants his charges to give him some selection headaches with a notable victory.

He said: "We're going to be highly competitive in Europe, our artillery is pointed towards the Premiership, but not withstanding that, we're going to try and get out of the group in this competition."

"The Dragons are a good side, forward orientated and well coached by Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones," he continued.

"They have some really good players and one of the best no. 8s in the world in Taulupe Faletau, so we've got a big game on our hands."

Sale do feature imposing tighthead Brian Mujati and are captained by former Scarlets lock Jon Mills with ex-Cardiff Blues fly-half Nick MacLeod pulling the strings.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, A Hughes, A Warren, N Scott, D Jones, S Pretorius, B Stankovich, E Dee, S Knight, C Hill, R Landman (captain), L Evans, O Griffiths, E Jackson. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, B Harris, M Screech, T Faletau, C Davies, J Tovey, R Wardle.

Sale: T Jeffers, T Brady, M Jennings, S Bedlow, C Ingall, N MacLeod, J Mitchell, J Flynn, N Briggs, B Mujati, J Mills (captain), A Ostrikov, M Lund, A Hughes, V Fihaki. Replacements: C Neild, J Pope, R Harrison, G Nott, J Beaumont, J Ford, J O'Donnell, N Edwards.

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)