Newport Gwent Dragons backs coach Shaun O’Connor expects Angus O’Brien to keep improving when the Welsh region visit a Benetton Treviso side with a spring in their step.

Treviso ended a 20-match winless run in the GUINNESS PRO12 with victory over Cardiff Blues last time out and the Dragons do not want to suffer their same fate as their regional rivals.

They have a good record against the Italian outfit, losing just one of their last six meetings, and O’Connor believes young fly-half O’Brien will be vital in ensuring that doesn’t become two in their last seven.

"Angus has been excellent," said Connor. "He went away with Wales Sevens before Christmas but it was always our intention to get him involved around now.

"In Ulster he was superb in our attacking game and challenged the line, something that we've been working on with him. It was pleasing to see that come through.

"We've always known that Angus has the ability and all the bits to his game, it's just about putting it together more consistently and reducing the error rate in his game but he is 21 and still learning the game. We are really pleased with the way that he is going."

The Dragons go in search of their first away win of the GUINNESS PRO12 season and skipper Thomas Rhys Thomas returns from injury to start as one of six changes last weekend's team that lost out narrowly to Connacht.

Full-back Carl Meyer returns to full fitness and is joined by Hallam Amos who has been released from Wales camp; they join one of last weekend’s try scorers, wing Ashton Hewitt, in the back three.

Fly-half Jason Tovey sits this game out after suffering a back injury against Connacht and young gun O'Brien replaces him, joining Sarel Pretorius in the half-backs.

Two changes are made to the front row as prop Phil Price and hooker Elliot Dee sit this match out because of knocks sustained during the match against Connacht, replaced by Boris Stankovich and captain Thomas.

And there is one change in the second row as Cory Hill gets the nod alongside Rynard Landman, while the back row remains the same.

Treviso have scored exactly one try in each of their last six matches in all tournaments and, except for Luca Morisi and Matteo Zanusso, will be without their Italian internationals.

Morisi is in the centre alongside captain Alberto Sgarbi, while Alberto Lucchese and Sam Christie make up the half-backs.

Alberto De Marchi, man of the match against Cardiff Blues, is ruled out with a back problem but Treviso are able to call on the experience of Tom Palmer in the second row, while the likes of Robert Barbieri and Tommaso Iannone are ready to add some quality from the bench.

And head coach Kieran Crowley is confident his side can prove they are better than their lowly league position suggests.

"My presence didn't make a difference (last weekend) but the win was well-deserved and the team earned it with great defence in the last 20 minutes,” he said.

"The boys and the coaches work hard and this is their reward.

"I have seen some of the other games on film and there were times when the win was in reach, the table doesn't tell the full story of the strength of this squad."

At Stadio Monigo, 7.10pm Local time (6.10pm UK & Ireland)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 9th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Marius Liperini, Emanuele Tomo (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

Live on Rai Sport

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