The Men of Gwent have had a frustrating 2014 to date and find themselves in 10th place in the RaboDirect PRO12 table after picking up just one win and a draw since the turn of the year.
They are two points ahead of their opponents, who sit bottom of the league, but the Italians will be hoping to secure a spot amongst Europe’s elite as they fight it out with Zebre for a place in next year’s Rugby Champions Cup.
Tovey admits it’s been a difficult few months for everyone at Rodney Parade as the region build towards next term but he insists they are fully focussed on righting some wrongs come Saturday afternoon.
“Our performances haven’t been great this year but hopefully we can go out with a bang on Saturday,” said Tovey, who rejoined the Dragons from Cardiff Blues in the summer after a single season in the capital.
“It’s been nice to be back and playing rugby but overall 2014 hasn’t been great for us. We would have liked a few more wins in 2014 but it hasn’t gone our way.
“It has been a building block for next year. We have a few more experienced players coming in and a lot of young boys coming through so we’ll have a new blend of experience and youth.
“Hopefully we can finish on a high. If we win this weekend we can’t finish in the bottom two and we could move up a place as well. The higher we can get up the table the better going into next season.”
The Dragons were downed 45-27 when they travelled to Treviso a month ago and Tovey knows they can’t produce a repeat performance if they are to turn the tables this time around.
Tovey is targeting a strong platform up front and better decision making and execution behind as his side look for the win that could seem them jump above Connacht in the end-of-season standings.
“We were pretty poor in the first half against Treviso in the game last month. We have to put things right now ready for next year and hopefully we can do that on Saturday,” added Tovey.
“They’ve always got a big pack which they use well and they probably beat us at the kicking game. Our forwards are working hard this week and they’ll be looking to front-up and hopefully we can turn them over.
