The fly-half is confident a strengthened Dragons squad possesses sufficient quality to better their rivals during the forthcoming campaign.

Asked by BBC Wales's Scrum V programme which sides the Dragons would finish ahead of, Connor replied: "The Scarlets and the Blues."

Connor, one of eight close-season signings for the Dragons, added: “The money the region has spent shows ambition and it is now down to the players to perform on the field and take the step forward.

"A major factor is our strength in depth. We have quality players in all positions whereas maybe in the past we did not, and had to throw the youngsters in.

"Hopefully this year we can pick and choose when to blood them."