The Dragons kick off their only pre-season fixture against the former Heineken Cup champions at Rodney Parade at 7.15pm as they look to start a fresh chapter with a real bang.
New director of rugby Lyn Jones and forwards coach Kingsley will link up with head coach Darren Edwards for the first time after joining the region during the summer and the former Sale supremo insists that every player has the chance to press for a starting spot this season.
“As a new coaching team we have no preconceived ideas about anyone,” Jones told the South Wales Argus with the RaboDirect PRO12 opener at home to Ulster now just over two weeks away.
“It’s a fresh sheet of paper and they have the chance to impress. It’s up to them.
“We’ve worked the squad hard over the summer and, because this is our only friendly, it’s the only chance to see if things come through from training. We want to see individuals concentrating on their own game and executing what we have been working on.”
Bath began their own Aviva Premiership preparations with a comprehensive 60-point win over Bristol at The Rec last weekend and have spent heavily in pre-season after bringing in the likes of Jonathan Joseph, Matt Garvey and George Ford.
The 2008 European Champions have also recruited Wales centre Gavin Henson, although the former Ospreys and Blues star may miss the trip to Newport with the knock to the ribs that kept him out of the victory over Bristol.
Henson or no Henson, Jones is convinced that the West Country club will provide the perfect test for the Dragons prior to the visit of PRO12 semi-finalists Ulster on the opening day of the new campaign.
“This is a great opportunity to have a hit out against a quality Bath side. They are a very good outfit and have invested well, so it’s a great test for us,” added Jones.
“This is will be a different world to training. It all starts here and the players have the opportunity to put their hands up for selection.
“It’s only a pre-season game and we are looking at more than just the result, but it’s an important step towards that Ulster game.
“It’s been a positive summer and our supporters seem to have been encouraged by what has gone on, so after all the work it will be nice to have a run out in front of them at Rodney Parade.”
