Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner has named a 26-man squad for the vital Magners League clash against Connacht at Rodney Parade on Sunday (5:05pm)
Dragons stalwarts Adam Black and Rhodri Gomer Davies are both back in contention after returning from injury. Both players have been out since the match against Ulster back in February where Gomer Davies suffered ankle damage and Black picked up a neck injury.
“We are fortunate to have a fairly clean bill of health at this stage of the season and will be looking to put our strongest side out against Connacht on Sunday,” said Turner “After the encouraging friendly against Worcester last week and the return of key players in Adam Black and Rhodri Gomer Davies we are feeling confident going into this game that we can answer the questions being asked of us by our supporters. There were some very strong individual performances last week at Sixways which has given a vital confidence boost to the squad.
“In the away match against Connacht, we didn’t defend well enough and got our just desserts. There has been a lot of introspection and full and frank discussions over the last couple of weeks and we are looking to redress the situation this weekend.
“This weekend’s game is not going to be easy, but the players are determined that a line be drawn under that match in Galway and we work to finish the season on a high.”
Meanwhile, Connacht have announced a 23 man squad for the Rodney Parade clash.
Both Keith Matthews and Ray Ofisa have overcome their injuries which kept them out of last week's game against Munster and are once again available for selection.
Dragons Squad
Aled Brew, Wayne Evans, Richard Fussell, Ashley Smith, Shaun Connor, Jason Tovey, James Arlidge, Kevin Morgan, Alex Walker, Martyn Thomas, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Gareth Wyatt, Tom Willis, Adam Jones, Jamie Ringer, Richard Parks, Hoani Macdonald, Joe Bearman, Rhys Thomas, Danny Lydiate, Lewis Evans, Luke Charteris, Nigel Hall, Steve Jones, Adam Black, Andrew Hall,
Connacht Squad
Liam Bibo, Andrew Browne, Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin, Mel Deane, Gavin Duffy, Andy Dunne, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, David Gannon, Ian Keatley, Ronan Loughney, Keith Matthews, Brian McGovern, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Johnny O'Connor, Ray Ofisa, Conor O'Loughlin, Colm Rigney, Michael Swift, Niva Ta'auso, Brett Wilkinson
Dragons stalwarts Adam Black and Rhodri Gomer Davies are both back in contention after returning from injury. Both players have been out since the match against Ulster back in February where Gomer Davies suffered ankle damage and Black picked up a neck injury.
“We are fortunate to have a fairly clean bill of health at this stage of the season and will be looking to put our strongest side out against Connacht on Sunday,” said Turner “After the encouraging friendly against Worcester last week and the return of key players in Adam Black and Rhodri Gomer Davies we are feeling confident going into this game that we can answer the questions being asked of us by our supporters. There were some very strong individual performances last week at Sixways which has given a vital confidence boost to the squad.
“In the away match against Connacht, we didn’t defend well enough and got our just desserts. There has been a lot of introspection and full and frank discussions over the last couple of weeks and we are looking to redress the situation this weekend.
“This weekend’s game is not going to be easy, but the players are determined that a line be drawn under that match in Galway and we work to finish the season on a high.”
Meanwhile, Connacht have announced a 23 man squad for the Rodney Parade clash.
Both Keith Matthews and Ray Ofisa have overcome their injuries which kept them out of last week's game against Munster and are once again available for selection.
Dragons Squad
Aled Brew, Wayne Evans, Richard Fussell, Ashley Smith, Shaun Connor, Jason Tovey, James Arlidge, Kevin Morgan, Alex Walker, Martyn Thomas, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Gareth Wyatt, Tom Willis, Adam Jones, Jamie Ringer, Richard Parks, Hoani Macdonald, Joe Bearman, Rhys Thomas, Danny Lydiate, Lewis Evans, Luke Charteris, Nigel Hall, Steve Jones, Adam Black, Andrew Hall,
Connacht Squad
Liam Bibo, Andrew Browne, Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin, Mel Deane, Gavin Duffy, Andy Dunne, Andrew Farley, Adrian Flavin, David Gannon, Ian Keatley, Ronan Loughney, Keith Matthews, Brian McGovern, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Johnny O'Connor, Ray Ofisa, Conor O'Loughlin, Colm Rigney, Michael Swift, Niva Ta'auso, Brett Wilkinson
