TREVISO may have been on the receiving end of an Ospreys hammering last weekend but there is no chance of Newport Gwent Dragons taking tomorrow's clash in Italy for granted (kick-off 7.05pm).

The Dragons know all about tackling Italians who are stung by a hammering in Wales – in round two they were forced to scramble at the death to protect their 11-6 lead against a Zebre side who had been drubbed in Swansea on opening weekend.

This time it's a Treviso team who lost 64-10 at the Liberty Stadium but on Monday head coach Kingsley Jones instructed his players and analysts to pay no attention to that encounter, instead he pointed to their home fixture against Ulster when they were edged out 22-11.

The Dragons have won just twice at the Stadio Monigo – in the European Cup in December 2007 and in their last Pro12 away success in March, 2015 – so lock Cory Hill knows they are in for a fierce encounter.

"We know they have a big pack and we realise the challenge ahead of us," said the 24-year-old, a try scorer in last season's 19-17 loss in Treviso.

"They are a team that focuses on the scrum and maul but with a new coach (Kieran Crowley) now they are looking to play more expansive rugby.

"For years now they have had a good pack and it's a hard place to go. We know what we are up against so have to get our heads on."

He continued: "Over the years Italian teams have got stronger and last weekend Zebre were beating Connacht when the game was abandoned, so they have shown that they can win and compete.

"Treviso pushed Ulster, one of the top teams in the league, until the end. They are both strong outfits, especially at home, and we know what the challenges are and that we have to match them there."

Hill is set to return to the XV after missing the Zebre win with an ear injury suffered at Ulster on opening weekend and then coming off the bench in the 20-16 defeat to Munster. He will partner South African Rynard Landman in the second row with New Zealander Nick Crosswell taking a breather.

"We've got a good squad this year and it's nice to see that 'Kings' can rotate a few here and there to keep everyone fresh and chomping at the bit, that's a good balance to have in a squad," said Hill, who also has Matthew Screech, Joe Davies and James Thomas for competition in the boilerhouse.

"Last year with injuries the squad picked itself so it's a lot nicer for the coaches when they have selection headaches.

"It's about keeping everyone fresh, everyone interested and everyone ready to try and take their chance when they do get a call-up."

Treviso were plucky in defeat to Leinster (20-8) in Dublin on opening weekend as well as Ulster but former Canada coach Crowley doesn't want such a stark fluctuation in performance.

"You cannot hide from the facts," said the New Zealander. "We know we need to find some consistency to the way we are playing and work from there to make sure performance levels get better and better.

"When you lose a lot of games, as has happened over recent seasons, players can come to have a negative view of themselves as well as those results.

"When I looked back at a lot of games from last season you could see that, even in the games we won, the players were more concerned with trying not to lose than going out to win the game themselves.

"We have to change that approach and that mindset and there is no doubt that is something that is going to be a big challenge for us. I am new to the job and I am well aware that things are going to take time, things are not going to happen overnight."