Newport Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones admits his pre-match team talk ahead of Thursday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Edinburgh is far easier after his side’s comeback against Zebre last time out.

The Dragons avoid defeat to the Italian outfit when Jevon Groves’ late try – expertly converted by Jason Tovey – rescued a 25-25 draw that saw Jones’ men leapfrog Edinburgh into eighth.

Thursday’s clash is the rearranged fixture after the match was initially postponed for a waterlogged pitch in February and the Dragons will be seeking a second RaboDirect PRO12 victory in 2014.

They have won their last two matches against Scottish opponents – although both were against the Warriors – but they do welcome back Hallam Amos, who has been out with an ankle injury.

Fellow youngster Jack Dixon gets the nod at inside centre while skipper Andrew Coombs and Matthew Screech comprise the second row.

And having arrived in Italy on the back of a disappointing defeat to Connacht, Jones is far more buoyant ahead of Thursday’s encounter.

"We are heading into the game against Edinburgh in much better shape and I am very pleased about that," Jones told the South Wales Argus.

"I was delighted to the response to what happened against Connacht. Okay, we didn't get the win that we wanted against Zebre but we got the performance in lots of respects.

"We looked ten times better than we did against Connacht and the way that they players managed the week of build-up to the game was really good.”

Edinburgh meanwhile, have one just once since the New Year and are one of only three sides yet to record an away victory in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season.

Edinburgh have won their last two matches with the Dragons, but both games were played at Murrayfield and they have not been victorious at Rodney Parade since May 2006.

Alan Solomons makes two changes with Jack Cuthbert moving to full-back and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne taking his place on the wing.

In the pack Mike Coman returns to captain the team from the blindside of the back-row, so Cornell Du Preez starts on the open-side and Roddy Grant moves to the bench.

Edinburgh’s defeat to Treviso last time out means they are ninth, level on points with eighth-placed Dragons and Solomons has called for a response.

“There is no question that this is an important game,” he said.

"We're disappointed that we didn't come away with the result at the weekend. We had a number of opportunities to put points on the board and we didn't, and that cost us.

“Yes, it is positive that we are getting closer on the road but it's important that we get a result and that we understand the significance of this game.

“We need to make sure that, when we create chances, we finish them.

“We need to deliver a top-flight performance and, in any big game, that means you take your chances when they come and you give away very little.”

At Rodney Parade, 6.30pm. Live on S4C/BBC ALBA
Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU, 15th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Simon Rees, Greg Morgan (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)