FLY-HALF Angus O'Brien has been challenged to hit the heights that downed the Guinness Pro12 champs after being handed the number 10 jersey for Newport Gwent Dragons' Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with the Scarlets this evening.

The 22-year-old from Caerleon has a golden opportunity to enjoy an extended run pulling the strings at Rodney Parade in the absence of the injured Nick Macleod (ankle) and Dorian Jones (groin).

O'Brien has shown flashes of excellence this season with the former Wales Under-20s international heading into tonight's game on the back of a superb display in the 21-16 win against Connacht.

Backs coach Shaun Connor has thrown down the gauntlet to his protégé, who missed last week's loss at Leicester with a head injury, to pick up where he left off when downing the league champions.

"Angus was excellent against Connacht," said the former fly-half. "He did everything right and attacked the line when he needed to and kicked when he needed to.

"We have always known Angus has good distribution but I thought the mix to his game was excellent and the challenge for him now is to repeat that week in, week out.

"That's his standard and he needs to deliver. We all know that he's got all the bits to his game but, like any 10, he just has to put it together more often.

"There's no doubt that he has the ability to do that so hopefully it's just a matter of time before that consistency comes."

O'Brien played a part in both tries against Connacht with neat handling but also showed maturity to ensure pressure was turned into points with the boot.

"His two drop goals were probably the difference in the game and we have worked on that quite a bit," said Connor.

"You are not always going to score a try when in the opposition's 22 so it's making sure you come away with something."

O'Brien is given the 10 jersey and is backed up by 19-year-old Arwel Robson, who will have the chance to build on a very promising cameo at Welford Road.

The Dragons have rung the changes from the 42-3 hammering at the hands of the Tigers with 11 changes to the XV, including a first start for 20-year-old tighthead Leon Brown.

"He did really well off the bench last week against (former Argentina prop) Marcos Ayerza and then (England prop) Ellis Genge, two international forwards with a huge amount of experience," said forwards coach Ceri Jones.

"We threw him in at the deep end and Leon has learnt a lot from that. It's going to be a steep learning curve but as everyone has seen, there is a huge amount of potential there."