There is no let up for the Newport Gwent Dragons as they take on Munster on Friday night at Rodney Parade, kick off 7.10pm.
The Dragons have announced a squad of 27 for the match but will wait on news of Nathan Brew (ankle), Jamie Corsi (knee), Luke Charteris (nose) and Jamie Ringer (flu) before confirming their starting line up.
"There certainly is no let up in intensity for us," said Head Coach Paul Turner, "and with a packed January it is a busy opening to 2007 for everyone at The Dragons. Against the Blues and Ospreys I think we showed that we have a side at The Dragons, who, on their day can compete and come away with the spoils. It was disappointing to lose to the Ospreys as we could have won that game and certainly had chances to clinch the victory, however, we have used that game as motivation and approach Munster with confidence. We have beaten them on our home patch (last season in the League The Dragons ran out 23-17 winners) and need to take our recent belief as a squad into Friday night's match."
The Dragons have won their last five matches at Rodney Parade and will be hoping home advantage counts when they take on the current Heineken Cup champions in their opening home game of 2007.
Looking ahead to the game Dragons hooker Ben Daly commented, "Munster will be a massive challenge for us. They are current Heineken Cup champions, have started to push their way up the Magners League recently and are on course for qualifying for the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup. They are a dogged side who possess the knack of knowing how to win games. They don't panic when they don't have the ball but are patient in the build up, they have a resolute defence and put the phases together well.
"We are continuing what is a critical period for us, we have two important Magners League games in January starting with Friday night's game before we switch our attentions to the European Challenge Cup competition next week against Bristol and another important tournament for us as we look to reach the quarter finals of this and secure a home tie. I think we showed against the Ospreys we are not the push over some like to think, we are resilient as a team, have a strong pack who sometimes don't get the credit they deserve, have good ball carriers and backs which can set a game alight. People like nothing better than to write us off but we like to keep proving them wrong and as a squad there would be nothing better than to get 2007 off with a win."
Following his impressive display against the Ospreys, Dragons lock Ian Gough is relishing taking on Munster saying, "Munster come from a massive hot bed of Irish rugby they boast fanatical support and they play an intense game. I personally like to play against Munster it is always an entertaining game, they pose a good challenge, which asks the best of you. We are at home and with the support behind us we can get a win."
Dragons Squad
Kevin Morgan, Gareth Wyatt, Aled Brew, Gareth Chapman, Nathan Brew, Paul Emerick, Ashley Smith, Ceri Sweeney, Mike Hercus, Alex Walker, Gareth Cooper, Adam Black, Dai Maddocks, Ben Daly, Kieran Crawford, Lee Harrison, Jamie Corsi, Gethin Robinson, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Peter Sidoli, Andrew Hall, Colin Charvis, Joe Bearman, Jamie Ringer, Nic Fitisemanu, Michael Owen.
