THE Dragons need to be 'party poopers' against play-off contenders in the United Rugby Championship run-in, says boss Dai Flanagan.

The Rodney Parade club have four games to go in a disappointing campaign that has them battling with Zebre Parma, the Scarlets and the Sharks to avoid being bottom club.

Their next three games are against sides who are eyeing the play-offs - Connacht in Newport on Saturday followed by another home game with the Stormers and a trip to the Ospreys.

Flanagan wants his Dragons to throw some spanners in the works before they finish the campaign against the Scarlets at Cardiff City Stadium Judgement Day.

"We'd be a game that I would imagine they are trying to target for five points," admitted the head coach.

"Connacht, Stormers, Ospreys are all pushing for the top eight and it would be great to spoil everyone's party and be the team that stopped them getting in.

“That’s our challenge, it’s on us to prove people wrong.”

The Dragons head into the Connacht game after a 36-19 defeat against Benetton in Treviso that was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

“We couldn't keep the ball long enough and had opportunities in Benetton's 22 that we didn’t take," said Flanagan.

“We can't give away so many cheap points; the charge down and interception are easy points that teams don't have to work for.

“We’ve got to pride ourselves on 50/50s because we lost a lot in Benetton. We don’t win enough games so every moment in a game counts.”

Flanagan names his team at midday and is poised to ring the changes.

Wales hooker Elliot Dee did not feature in Treviso but is in line to make his 150th Dragons appearance.

Connacht have won their last nine games against Welsh opposition since the Dragons’ shock win in Galway in October, 2021.

The Irish province could feature ex-Dragon JJ Hanrahan at fly-half.