“It is great to be back in the Heineken Cup competition,” commented Head Coach Paul Turner. “It is a fantastic tournament that really tests sides and pits you against the very best opposition. Friday will be a huge, physical battle and we would expect no different. Perpignan have recruited strongly and signing someone of the calibre of Percy Montgomery says it all. But we won’t be lying down. We have a good work ethic and know what to expect so hopefully we can start off with a bang and catch them by surprise.”
Friday is only Perpignan’s third game of the season and their first home game. They have played two on the road which have resulted in two losses. Meanwhile The Dragons drew with London Wasps in the opening EDF Energy Cup match while they narrowly lost to Newcastle Falcons last weekend.
Dragons summer signing flanker Richard Parks is set to face his old team mates on Friday if selected and is looking forward to the clash with his old team mates, he said, “I am looking forward to returning to Perpignan, it was a difficult season last year for me personally but they are a great club and one of the best in European rugby. It gives us (The Dragons) the chance to measure ourselves against a top team in what will be an intimidating atmosphere and see how we respond. Returning to Perpignan and catching up with old teammates will be great but on the field all friendships will be put to one side. I am really enjoying being at The Dragons and I want the side to do well. Friday will test what we are made of as a side and will provide the opportunity to show we can match other sides in physicality and intensity and I personally cannot wait for kick off on Friday.”
The Dragons have named a 24-man squad for the trip to the south of France with Luke Charteris included having recovered from his thumb injury sustained against London Wasps.
Martyn Thomas is set to make his Heineken Cup debut if selected on Friday, and commenting on the tough opener he said, “I am looking forward to the step up in intensity and we have been building in the EDF Energy Cup competition against Wasps and Newcastle and Perpignan in their own back yard will be another step up for us. They are a physical side and with their crowd behind them will look to create an intimidating atmosphere in the Stade Aime-Giral. However, we have started to play well as a side and while Friday is a massive challenge for us, it is in these sorts of environments where you have to stand up and be counted. The Dragons possess those qualities in abundance, we have a fighting spirit, love to prove the doubters wrong and if we could get something out of the game on Friday then that would be fantastic and we can go into the home tie against London Irish next week with confidence.”
Dragons Squad
Martyn Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Paul Emerick, Richard Mustoe, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Aled Thomas, Ceri Sweeney, Wayne Evans, Andy Williams, Adam Black, Hugh Gustafson, Rhys Thomas, Jamie Corsi, Steve Jones, Ben Daly, Luke Charteris, Andrew Hall, Michael Owen, Joe Bearman, Colin Charvis, Dan Lydiate, Jamie Ringer, Richard Parks.
