Regional Rugby comes to Pontypool Park on Friday night when the Gwent Dragons take on Leeds Tykes in a pre-season friendly, kick-off 7pm.
Gwent started their pre-season campaign with an away game against English National Division One side, Penzance and Newlyn recording a 53 points to 8 win. “The players are delighted that the season is underaway,” commented team manager Jim McCreedy. “A win always brings confidence but we are under no illusion of the challenge Leeds will pose us. They are a side of real quality and will really test the team.
Whilst we played Penzance away, this game is being played in the heart of Gwent at Pontypool Park and the team are eager to perform in front of the home crowd and want the supporters to turn out in force and show them their support.” Zurich Premiership club Leeds Tykes qualified for the Heineken Cup this season and the game on Friday will be Leeds first of the season and have named a strong team to face the Dragons.
The Tykes bring with them a high quality side with England Internationals David Rees and Phil Christophers named in the starting line up. “Leeds have named a formidable line up and we will need to perform at our very best to record a victory. They are a side of real quality and despite having players away on international duty can still field an extremely strong squad. This highlights the strength in depth they have and why they performed well in the Zurich Premiership last season to clinch a space in Europe. Under Phil Davies and Jon Callard the team have developed into a strong outfit in a short space of time.”
Leeds have yet to play a pre-season game but are looking forward to playing in Wales, "The game against the Dragons marks the start of our pre-season campaign and is an extremely important game for us,” commented Leeds Tykes Director of Rugby Phil Davies.
“We have been in training for nearly two months and the lads are really keen to get a game under their belt. We have a number of new players who will be playing their first game for the club so they will be looking to make a good first impression."
For those of you who have purchased season tickets for the Gwent Dragons you will be receiving a voucher booklet in the next few days which gives you entry to the friendly matches against Leeds and Harlequins on Monday afternoon.
