Head coach Kingsley Jones admits Newport Gwent Dragons need to claim victory over Benetton Treviso at Rodney Parade on Sunday to rejuvenate their GUINNESS PRO12 campaign.

The Dragons remain winless this season after following up narrow defeats to Connacht and Ospreys with a 33-13 loss to the in-form Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

The Men from Gwent are boosted by the return of captain Lee Byrne and fly-half Jason Tovey, both injured against the Ospreys, and centre Ashley Smith from a toe injury sustained against Zebre in March.

The hosts have won only one of their last 11 GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures, a 20-19 victory over Treviso in May, and Jones is confident his side can repeat the result.

Yet the former Welsh international is urging his players not to underestimate their Italian opponents, who beat the Dragons at Stadio Monigo in April.

"We have to draw a line under the Connacht, Ospreys and Glasgow games and look at the next block," Jones told the South Wales Argus.

"With respect to the teams that we are going to come up against, the fixtures aren't as tough as the ones that we have played. I believe that if we get the right players on the field we will do well.

"There have been a few grumpy faces around, we really need to win against Treviso and the players want to put things right.

"But it would be a huge failure to disrespect or underestimate Treviso and there is no chance of us doing that.

"They can certainly play – Michele Campagnaro is a really dangerous individual and they have threats, so we will need to perform well to beat them."

The last four encounters between the two sides have all been won by the home side on the day, suggesting history in on the side of the Men from Gwent.

Treviso have slipped to six straight GUINNESS PRO12 defeats since their home victory against the Dragons in April and remain without a point in this year’s competition.

The Italian side will be looking to improve on their recent record against Welsh regions after losing to both Ospreys and Scarlets this season either side of defeat at home to Munster.

Head coach Umberto Casellato is able to name an improved side with the return of Davide Giazzon and Simone Favaro at hooker and blindside flanker respectively and Matteo Zanusso making his debut at prop.

Fly-half Joe Carlisle is reunited with half-back partner James Ambrosini with Luca Morisi at inside centre and Ludovico Nitoglia joining New Zealander Jaden Hayward in the back three.

The highly-rated Italian international Francesco Minto returns to the bench after sustaining a back injury against France in February, alongside Edoardo Gori.

At Rodney Parade, 4pm. Live on S4C
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU,32nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas, Neil Perkins (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howell (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)