KINGSLEY Jones says the Newport Gwent Dragons coaching team are being forced to mull over giving Robson Blake a rapid rise to the seniors after some powerful cameos by the Bedwas back row forward.

The 21-year-old from Powys has made two appearances for the Dragons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup off the bench in defeats to Leicester and Newcastle.

Blake, who was playing in Division One East for Bedlinog last season, has impressed with his rumbustious ball carrying and is in contention to keep his squad place in the final group game at Gloucester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Head coach Jones has also been impressed with the tree surgeon in training and when playing for the Dragons Premiership Select XV fixtures in the British and Irish Cup.

Blake, who will turn full-time on a two-year deal with the region next season, could feature at Kingsholm and is also making the management consider him as a Guinness PRO12 option.

"Robson came on against Newcastle and is putting pressure on every back row forward," said Jones.

"Every time he carries the ball he makes yards. The kid has got something, he is going to make mistakes because he was playing for Bedlinog a year ago, but I am really excited about him.

"As a coach it's only once every three or four seasons where you see someone like that, but I don't want to build him up too much because he it's a new thing for him.

"But he is making all us coaches think about whether we need to have a look at him because he gives you something different. The kid has got great potential so will be in contention for Gloucester."

The Dragons' hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals were dashed by the 18-6 loss to Newcastle in shocking conditions at Rodney Parade.

However, Jones insists this weekend's game at Gloucester remains an important one as his side hunt for a first away win of the season.

The Dragons' last success away from Rodney Parade came at Kingsholm in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals last April.

"I felt that we'd get the win against Newcastle and go to Gloucester for a big game, although Saracens have a home game against Leicester and if they win that then it would have been it for us anyway," said Jones.

"We wanted to be in a position of going to Gloucester for another big game for the players in a great atmosphere and a great ground but we have still got to go there and get that elusive away win."

Hooker Elliot Dee could be in contention for a return after being sidelined by injury since the win against Treviso on January 6.