FORWARDS coach Ceri Jones has declared that squad rotation has led to a 'real edge' at Newport Gwent Dragons' training this week and wants that to transfer to Rodney Parade when Glasgow visit on Friday.

The Dragons rang the changes for last week's trip to Treviso with seven fresh faces coming into the XV that had been edged out 20-16 by Munster at Rodney Parade.

An error-strewn display led to a 27-11 loss at the Stadio di Monigo but the management stand by their decision, believing that rotation is necessary to keep players fresh and foster competition for starts.

Nonetheless, head coach Kingsley Jones is likely to bring back captain Lewis Evans, who was ill last week, along with the likes of South African scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and Kiwi lock/flanker Nick Crosswell.

Lock Rynard Landman should be available after being forced off at half-time in Italy by a calf problem while experienced fly-half Nick Macleod is looking good to return after suffering an ankle problem in the warm-up for Munster.

"We are in a good place. We have rotated the squad so have got a lot of fit players and will make a few changes and bring a few people back who have had a week's rest," said Ceri Jones.

"We gave other players an opportunity last week and that meant we could freshen up other players and there has been a real edge in training this week – there's been the best edge since I've been here.

"It's really competitive and when you have that on the training field hopefully that relays to the weekend."

The Dragons will need to be on their game against a Warriors side also smarting after successive defeats to Cardiff Blues and Ulster.

Ceri Jones believes if they can upset 2015 champions and title hopefuls Glasgow then it could provide the season with just the spark they need.

"We played really well against Munster and were right in that game until the final moment. If we hang onto the ball on that driving lineout and score in the corner, the season looks different for everyone," he said.

"We are just that one victory away, fingers crossed it comes this weekend and it does kick-start everything for us because I don't think we are that far away, we just need to be more precise."

The Dragons have declared themselves to be fairly content with their play between the 22s but have targeted decision-making under fatigue at their Ystrad Mynach training base in order to find a clinical edge.

"We are trying to put the players under a certain amount of pressure to deliver in scenarios with two or three-minute blocks of high intensity and get the accuracy into our game," said Jones.

Glasgow, edged out by Ulster at Scotstoun last week, have been installed as favourites by the bookies but their boss Gregor Townsend doesn't expect things to be easy at Rodney Parade.

"Newport is a difficult place to go," said the former Lions fly-half, who will become Scotland coach after this season. "They play an uncompromising brand of rugby and are very good at the breakdown. It'll be a good test for us."