THERE might not be the hypothermia risk of the 2013 visit to Galway but lock Cory Hill says Newport Gwent Dragons must not be caught cold by just expecting an onslaught from the Connacht pack, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Dragons kick off their Guinness Pro12 campaign in Galway for the second season running and are attempting to win at the Sportsground for the first time since 2004.

It is a notoriously tough place to visit, and not just because Pat Lam's side have made great strides in recent years.

Two years ago the men from Rodney Parade were left shivering in the changing rooms after a perishing December visit but with the forecast set fair for this evening's encounter, Hill has warned to expect more than just an arm wrestle.

"The last few years Connacht have got better and better to become a really strong outfit," said the lock about their hosts, who finished seventh in the Pro12 last season.

"It's a tough place to go but hopefully in September the weather will be a bit nicer than it is at Christmas time and there will be rugby played rather than just a dogfight.

"Connacht have got a very strong forward pack with a good driving lineout and scrum. We know that we have to match them up front.

"But they have also expanded their game a lot over the last few years. They play with a bit of width and it's not just dealing with the Connacht forwards."

The 16-11 Sportsground loss was one that got away from the Dragons at the start of last season and it led to a frustrating few months that yielded just one Pro12 victory from their first nine.

Hill hopes that a more settled summer can ensure they hit the ground running this time: "We haven't had as many players coming and going as past years. The boys have gelled together quicker than usual because of that.

"It's a third season of Lyn and Kingsley (Jones, the management team) so all the boys know what to expect and have put the hard work in, ready for the new season.

"We've got to be prepared for the first block of games and make a better start than last year. That's our main focus at the moment.

"On our day we are capable of beating anyone so we just have to get our heads on."

Hill partners Rynard Landman in the second row while Nick Crosswell is selected at blindside after Lewis Evans suffered a minor elbow injury.

Jason Tovey is selected ahead of Dorian Jones at fly-half while Tyler Morgan should add some impetus from the bench on his return from Wales duty.

Connacht: T O'Halloran, D Poolman, R Parata, B Aki, M Healy, J Carty, K Marmion, D Buckley, T McCartney, R Ah You, Q Roux, A Browne, J Muldoon (captain), N Fox-Matamua, E Masterson. Replacements: D Heffernan, JP Cooney, F Bealham, B Marshall, E McKeon, J Cooney, C Ronaldson, F Carr.

Dragons: C Meyer, T Prydie, R Wardle, A Warren, N Scott, J Tovey, S Pretorius, B Stankovich, R Thomas (captain), S Knight, C Hill, R Landman, N Crosswell, N Cudd, E Jackson. Replacements: H Gustafson, P Price, B Harris, J Thomas, J Benjamin, C Davies, D Jones, T Morgan.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)