THE Dragons signed a Samoan powerhouse last summer to be an enforcer but Joe Davies wants to show that he can fill the role as the region's big hitter.

The lock is set to make his first start of the season in the Rodney Parade region's Guinness PRO14 game at Connacht on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).

Davies has had to be patient after the Dragons fielded captain Cory Hill, Matthew Screech and new signing Brandon Nansen at the start of the campaign.

The 22-year-old from Caldicot then suffered a shoulder injury but, with Hill on Wales duty and Nansen sidelined by concussion, he made his first appearance of the campaign as a replacement in last week's 36-18 loss at Ulster.

After Screech suffered an ankle sprain, Davies is poised to slot in next to Lewis Evans in the second row at the Sportsground in Galway and wants to provide an abrasive edge.

When Nansen arrived from Stade Francais head coach Bernard Jackman said the Samoan would given the Dragons an edge and be "an enforcer".

"Brandon is a very aggressive and abrasive lock, a big ball carrier who provides physicality at the set piece and maul," said the former Ireland hooker.

That is a role that Davies, whose father Andrew was a weightlifter and won silver at the World Championships and bronze and gold at the Commonwealth Games, wants to fill.

"I think I bring physicality," said the 6ft 6ins lock. "I feel that I carry hard, hit hard, scrum behind the tighthead pushing as hard as I can, maul as hard as I can. I just do everything as hard as I can!"

Davies made his Dragons debut as a 17-year-old in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Scarlets in 2013 but his progress was hindered by rotten luck with injuries.

However, he enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2017/18 when making 25 appearances and is desperate to keep his spot.

"It was good to get back out there against Ulster, even though it was off the bench. I felt that I improved and got some more game time against Hong Kong," said the lock after he played for the A team in their Monday night win in Ebbw Vale.

"All I want to do is keep pushing myself and put my name forward every single week by doing the best that I can.

"Last year I played a lot of games. This season it has taken me a bit longer than I would have liked to get back into it, but I feel I am now back to where I was and hopefully I will keep pushing forward.

"Brandon arriving and Lewis Evans moving forward means there are more second rows than last year, so there is more competition but that is good. Without it you could get into your comfort zone.

"It's a deep squad and there is definitely a lot of competition. That helps in training with boys wanting to prove themselves throughout the week to get their chance."

The Dragons name their side at midday and are likely to keep changes to a minimum after their battling display in Belfast with Jason Tovey at fly-half after his return on permit from Cross Keys.

Davies will replace Screech and Wales international Hallam Amos is set for his first appearance since a dislocated elbow at Leinster in September.

The Dragons have been mulling over fielding the 18-times capped speedster in midfield rather than his usual positions of wing or full-back.