Dragons Face West of Ireland

Having recorded a New Years Day win over the Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons are aiming to maintain their 2006 100% record as they take on Connacht in Friday night’s Celtic League clash.

Kath McCarthy | 04/01/2006

Having recorded a New Years Day win over the Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons are aiming to maintain their 2006 100% record as they take on Connacht in Friday night’s Celtic League clash and continue their battle for ensuring Heineken Cup rugby for next season.

The Dragons are currently ninth in the Celtic League table and as things stand would secure a place in next seasons Heineken Cup competition, however, with the Ospreys having a free weekend and a guaranteed four points The Dragons know that if they are to stay above the Ospreys then they have to secure the minimum four points on Friday night.

The Dragons have named a squad for the match with Jamie Ringer provisionally included after being ruled out for the Men of Gwent’s last two matches with a badly twisted ankle. There has been further good news for the Region with Captain Jason Forster coming through Sunday’s match with no reaction to his groin injury and he will lead the team on Friday.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s clash centre Hal Luscombe said,

“We are in no way underestimating Connacht. People are expecting us to beat them on Friday but they are no push over as they proved last weekend when they beat Ulster. They will be ruing the defeat at the hands of the Ospreys earlier in the season and like ourselves are fighting for a Heineken Cup place, which again like us they desperately want. 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. There is no better time for us to show that than on Friday night. The win over the Ospreys has injected some real confidence back into the squad and it was fantastic to hear the supporters really get behind us last Sunday and we would ask for supporters from across the Region to again show that on Friday.”

The Dragons have named a squad for the match with the team being announced on Thursday after a final training run.

“The win last Sunday was vital,” said Paul Turner. “You cannot underestimate what that win means for the Region. Our set piece was good and we took our try scoring opportunities well. However, we cannot rest on our laurels as Friday night’s game is another massive one for us. Connacht are a good side who all play for each other and will be looking to come down here and win. They have run the Scarlets and the Ospreys close already this season and have beaten the Blues so they are a side who we cannot underestimate.”

Squad
Sione Tuipulotu, Gareth Chapman, Hal Luscombe, Jon Bryant, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Fussell, Ben Breeze, Craig Warlow, Gareth Baber, Gareth Cooper, Adam Black, David Maddocks, Steve Jones, Andrew Brown, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Robinson, Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Bryn Griffiths, Andrew Hall, Rhys Oakley, Jason Forster (c), Jamie Ringer, Michael Owen.

Dragons Season Ticket Holders Invited To “Bring A Friend For Free” To Connacht

Newport Gwent Dragons season ticket holders are invited to “Bring a Friend for Free” to the Dragons v Connacht game due to be played at Rodney Parade on Friday 6 January. To take advantage of this fantastic offer season ticket holders should hand the Special Match Voucher 3 from their yellow booklet in to the Ticket Office in exchange for a complimentary match ticket. For more details call 01633 674990.