ENGLAND World Cup winner Will Greenwood has tipped Newport Gwent Dragons to qualify for the Guinness Pro12 playoffs.

The Rodney Parade region have never finished as Wales’ top region but Greenwood not only believes they can outdo the Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues but thinks they can sneak fourth spot.

The former Lions centre has plumped for three of last season’s semi-finalists in Glasgow, Leinster and Munster along with the Dragons, who finished ninth last season.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Rugby Club Greenwood said: “The Dragons won’t have many players away on international duty, so there won’t be pressure from international coaches saying ‘I need him to have a week off’ during the season.

“Lee Byrne is back at full-back, that maverick Andy Powell can cause all sorts of problems, (Rodney Parade) is a tough place to go and play, Lyn Jones is very canny.

“Put all those things into the pot over the course of a pre-World Cup season and a side that isn’t too affected by international call-ups has to have a chance of knocking a few of the top dogs over.”

The Dragons finished third in the first season of regional rugby and fourth in 2004/5 but have not finished in the top half in the last nine campaigns.