RHODRI Williams is up for the fight at Rodney Parade this evening, although maybe he’ll pick his opponents more wisely.

The scrum-half will be a key figure as the Dragons attempt to record their third win of the United Rugby Championship against fellow strugglers Zebre Parma.

Dai Flanagan’s side are bottom of the table but can leapfrog the Italians with victory.

They head into the game on the back of a spirited display in defeat against the title-chasing Bulls when their attitude was summed up by Williams.

The scrum-half sparked a dust-up by grappling with hefty props Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw at the end of the first half.

Thankfully, Matthew Screech, Elliot Dee, George Nott and Sean Lonsdale were quickly on the scene to save their trouble-maker.

“I can laugh it off now,” said Williams. “It wasn’t that funny at the time, one of those moments on the field. To be fair, our forwards arrived quickly so it wasn’t too bad.

“There are a few more chirpy scrum halves than me, but things happen on the field and it can ruffle a few feathers.

“I reacted and they reacted back to me. They were big boys – especially when they both turned around!”

South Wales Argus: REPEAT? Rhodri Williams will be hoping for another try and a win against Zebre with the DragonsREPEAT? Rhodri Williams will be hoping for another try and a win against Zebre with the Dragons (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Controlled aggression will be needed against Zebre as the Dragons bid to avoid finishing bottom of the table for the first time.

“It’s a big game. We have got to embrace the challenge and look forward to it,” said Williams.

“We need to be confident, and we need to express ourselves. When there is pressure on, you can go in yourselves, but we have to back our skills sets and enjoy being out there.

“The performance against Bulls gives us something to build on. We were far from happy with it, it is still another loss and we are an ambitious squad and we want to win.

“There were things in that game that we could have done a lot better, but on the flip side the Bulls are a quality side and there are some very good moments in that game that we can take forward.”

Williams was one of the try scorers in Newport last season when the Dragons cruised to a 47-7 victory but it isn’t likely to be as one-sided this evening.

“Zebre are a good side. They have had a few new coaches come in this year and they are known to be quite an expansive team, but they have also got a bit of control behind them now.

“We were not happy with the game out in Italy earlier this season, and the result [a 20-17 defeat in the Challenge Cup]. We started well, built up a load and felt that we let Zebre back into the game.

“We are back at Rodney Parade, the boys are looking forward to Friday night and there is an excitement growing in the group.”