NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are waiting to see whether hooker Elliot Dee needs an operation after the Wales hopeful was ruled out of the start of the Guinness Pro12, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 22-year-old from Newbridge suffered damaged ankle ligaments in the pre-season victory against Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade and is currently wearing a protective boot on his right foot.

Dee is going to be sidelined for at least three to four weeks and a specialist will determine whether he needs to go under the knife.

That means vice-captain Rhys Thomas is likely to wear 2 on his back in the league opener against Ulster in Belfast on Friday, September 2 with Rhys Buckley and new signing Darran Harris battling to be the former Wales international's back-up.

The trio will get the chance to impress when the Dragons finish their pre-season campaign with a home clash against Aviva Premiership runners-up Exeter at Rodney Parade on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).

They head into that fixture on the back of a disappointing 41-21 defeat to Ealing Trailfinders in appalling conditions at their training base in Ystrad Mynach.

Head coach Kingsley Jones fielded an inexperienced side with a sprinkling of first-teamers but the hosts imploded after leading heading into the final quarter.

"I was very disappointed with the second half," admitted Jones. "Ealing were well-drilled and won the gain line, carrying harder than us.

"A couple of compounded errors led to them getting momentum and heads dropped, which was disappointed, with them scoring some soft tries at the end.

"There were a lot of young men making errors and they've got to learn, but it was a good test.

"There will be a different 30 players involved against Exeter and we wanted to give everyone in the squad an opportunity in the four pre-season games.

"We didn't lose four league points and learnt a lost, sometimes in defeat you learn more."

The Chiefs head to Newport on the back of a crushing 45-3 success against the Scarlets and 25-19 victory against Ulster, both games played in Devon.