Dean Ryan has urged Dragons to be clinical and controlled as they prepare for a derby double-header with Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship.
The Men of Gwent travel to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.35pm) before the return fixture at Rodney Parade a week later.
Dragons head into the fixture with renewed confidence after the manner of the first half display against Gloucester in Europe - where they scored three tries and showed both defensive steel and attacking verve.
However, after letting Gloucester off the hook early in the second half before succumbing to a revival from the English giants, Ryan wants his side to step it up to another level.
“Derbies are always different - a bit more pressured,” said the Director of Dragons Rugby. “I’m sure both sides will be trying to play within that environment.
“We’re aware we can’t play a stifling game there; we’ve got to find a way to bring out the best in our players. Sometimes we must accept that carries risk and we’ve got to do it in the heat of a derby environment.
“Scarlets have a run first philosophy and we have got to find a way of ensuring our game is on the field as much as theirs.
“We’re coming out of a period where there has been intense pressure, in terms of the opposition, and hopefully that gives us a springboard into these games,” he added.
“We saw a bit of that against Gloucester. But we've got to be more clinical and more in control of the ball to receive the benefits of some of the good things we have done.
“Last week was the first time we had a lot of our players back. Every team has bumps and bruises, but with some of our better players available we can get consistent in terms of our performances."
Dragons will be without Greg Bateman for the clash after Ryan confirmed the prop suffered a shoulder tendon injury against Gloucester.
