Jill McIntosh is confident Cardiff Dragons can build on their encouraging Netball Super League opener when they host Manchester Thunder at the House of Sport on Friday night.

Dragons fought back to earn a thrilling 48-48 draw with Saracens Mavericks as all 10 teams got the season underway at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham last week.

It was a performance which suggested a new-look Dragons team – in which five players made their debuts under returning captain Nia Jones – can improve after some difficult recent seasons.

Having undergone a re-brand last year and with a new name, there is a fresh feel about Cardiff Dragons this season after major upheaval in the squad.

Dragons supporters will get their first glimpse of McIntosh’s rebuild on Friday when a strong Thunder line-up are certain to provide a severe test for a match that is already a sell-out.

The former Australia coach – who took charge midway through last season – has re-shaped the Dragons squad significantly.

Only three players remain from last season – Welsh internationals Georgia Rowe and Phillipa Yarranton, plus Laura Rudland.

But the balance of the new line-up gave grounds for optimism as they recovered from a four-goal deficit at half-time against Mavericks to earn a dramatic draw.

McIntosh says: “We have now got a very even group of 12 players, which is lovely to have.

“We can put out who we think is going to do the job, but we can chop and change until we find the line-up that works.”

New signings Hannah Passmore, Leah Middleton, Jacqui Newton, Khanyisa Chawane and Beth Ecuyer-Dale all impressed against Mavericks.

Former England U21 international Passmore – who moved to Cardiff from Team Bath – was one of two English players to make her Dragons debut, alongside former Maverick mid-courter Ecuyer-Dale.

The others to wear green for the first time in a league fixture were South African international centre “KC” Chawane, who played for the Proteas at last year’s World Cup, and Australian pair Newton and Middleton.

Experienced Defender Newton was playing in the Suncorp Super Netball League Down Under last year, but says she was keen to sample life, and netball, in Wales.

“I was looking at other opportunities and you can’t look past the Super League,” says the former Collingwood Magpies player.

“It’s a big, diverse league with lots of talent and skill. When Cardiff reached out, I couldn’t say no.

“We are a new team this year. We don’t have too many returning players. Some have come back and others have come in from outside.

“But we are just looking at performance. Jill has been really good at setting specific targets and key performance indicators for us. If we can hit all those, then hopefully that will give us the results that we want.”

Goal keeper Middleton, although raised in Australia, was born in England, but was capped by Wales for the first time last year as she qualifies through a Welsh grandmother from Bridgend.

Last season, the Dragons – then called the Celtic Dragons – only managed two victories in their Super League campaign..

The House of Sport, a stone’s throw from Cardiff City Stadium, will be the main home venue for the Dragons again this season.

But with a nod to the future – and their ambitions to be part of the newly revamped Super League from 2025 – two of the team’s fixtures in June will be staged at the bigger capacity venue of the Utilita Arena in the centre of Cardiff.

Those are the games against Leeds Rhinos on June 8, and the match against Team Bath on June 15.