NEWPORT Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones is mulling over changes to his side after a gruelling Guinness PRO12 schedule but knows they can't take a win for granted against Enisei on Friday.

The Dragons returned to winning ways with a comfortable 26-8 success against Treviso last Friday and welcome the Russians to Newport this weekend in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

They head into the game on the back of a pair of bruising festive derbies and the encounter with the heavy Italians in challenging conditions.

Jones has kept changes to a minimum over the past three weeks with his back row of Lewis Evans, Ollie Griffiths and Ed Jackson having shouldered a particularly heavy burden.

The management will consider tinkering with the XV but are also mindful that they need a five-point haul against Enisei, who gave them a 38-18 hammering when the teams met in Krasnodar in October.

"I hear all the time about 'first choice' and 'second choice'; there isn't that anymore. We have 35 players and they have to play," said Jones.

"It's difficult with short turnarounds and what it (rotating) does is drive up standards. We have seen Lloyd Fairbrother be very good in recent weeks and Brok Harris' game went up another level (against Treviso). So did Sarel Pretorius'.

"There are players who are training well and are desperate for an opportunity. I have to look at Enisei and see where we are at, but we won't be taking the win for granted.

"We have to make sure it's the best team that can deliver a performance and we know the outcome we need; we need the perfect picture of a few tries, although we won't go out there to play blasé rugby."

Brive are in command of Pool Three after recovering from their opening round defeat at Rodney Parade by winning at Worcester then doubling Enisei.

They host the Warriors on Saturday evening and a bonus-point win would leave the Dragons needing a five-point haul at the Stade Amedee-Domenech, while denying their hosts anything, to claim top spot.

Jones' men have made the knockout stages for the past two seasons but even if they bag a perfect 10 points from 10 then it is unlikely to secure one of the three best runners-up berths in the quarter-finals.

While the seniors are in Challenge Cup action this weekend, fringe players will get the chance to impress with the Dragons Premiership Select XV at Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday afternoon.