HEAD coach Kingsley Jones says Newport Gwent Dragons cannot afford to be at anything but their best if they are to take the spoils in their Guinness PRO12 'cup match' at Zebre, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons head to Parma on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm) hunting their first away win of the season in all competitions and a first league triumph since March, 2015.

They face a Zebre side fresh from an excellent 25-22 win against champions Connacht that boss Jones believes sent a timely message to his players.

"There is no reason for us to think that we can go to Zebre and be one per cent off it," he said.

"They put in a great performance against the champions and that sharpens our minds. The biggest challenge when you go to Zebre is the mental one and we totally respect this team.

"They are not far behind us in the table and beat a good team last weekend, so we need to be on the money."

Bottom club Zebre exploited loose play by the champions for a second PRO12 win of the season while in the corresponding fixture with the Dragons last season they ran in five tries in a humbling 47-22 defeat for Jones & Co.

"We need to make sure we play sensible, direct rugby and control the ball. That's what needed in a 'cup match' away from home," he said.

"Zebre have got some good runners and Connacht overplayed, as teams tend to do there. If you make an error in loose play they are very good.

"But I think we can score tries there as long as we start well and don't make too many errors. It's a big game and a massive challenge for us."

The Dragons name their team at midday but have an injury crisis at scrum-half with Charlie Davies their sole fit senior specialist.

Sarel Pretorius (hamstring) and Tavis Knoyle (wrist) are sidelined leaving the management mulling over using 19-year-old Owain Leonard or fly-halves Angus O'Brien or Dorian Jones as cover.

The Dragons are currently 10th in the table, two points behind Edinburgh and ahead of Treviso and Zebre by five and seven points respectively.

Edinburgh host Connacht on Friday and Treviso head to the Scarlets on Saturday.