Newport Gwent Dragons face Connacht in their last Celtic League match of the season on Saturday 16th April, kick off 5.30pm.
The Dragons currently lie in fifth place in the league table and know that they have to beat Connacht on Saturday if they are to finish in the coveted fourth spot and claim a home draw in the Celtic Cup Quarter Finals.
The Dragons have named a 24-man squad for the game on Saturday with the final selection being made after training on Friday. Coach Chris Anderson commented, “We under performed on the weekend whilst Edinburgh maintained their recent run of good form.
However, we were off the pace in the game. We have to put that defeat behind us and concentrate on Connacht. It is a home match and no doubt the Rodney Parade faithful will be right behind the team as we look to secure fourth place in the Celtic League and a home draw in the Celtic Cup competition which begins at the end of the month.
It is a crucial game for both sides on the weekend as Connacht look to secure a place in the Heineken Cup and both teams will come out all guns blazing. It is important that we keep our composure and be clinical with our finishing.”
The Dragons are battling for a top four place in the Celtic League and have to hope that the result between Ulster and the Scarlets goes their way. Should the result in Ravenhill be favourable to The Dragons then they have to secure a win against Connacht at Rodney Parade, a ground where they have only lost twice in the League competition in two seasons.
Hooker Steve Jones commented, “We are in no way underestimating Connacht. People are expecting us to beat them on Saturday but they are no push over as they proved earlier in the season when we played them. They will be ruing the defeat at the hands of the Neath Swansea Ospreys last week and are fighting for a Heineken Cup place, which they desperately want. This is our last home Celtic League match and we want to finish on a high. Our form has been somewhat inconsistent this season and we want to prove that we are a side to be reckoned with and better than certain results have shown. Whilst the fourth place position is somewhat dependent on other results it is important that we secure a win and that is in the hands of our own team.”
Following last weekends results final Celtic League placings are dependent on other results but The Dragons are well aware that to maintain the challenge for the fourth spot they have to beat Connacht, lose and they face an away Celtic Cup match, something The Dragons are not even considering at present,
