In the final part of Paul Turner’s supporters interview, Paul answers the rest of your questions.
Q: Paul, do you really think we can challenge the likes of Leinster and the Ospreys for the title this season or next? Or are we always going to be the bridesmaid of the Magners? We have to start beating teams away from home, especially teams like Connacht. If we can destroy the best at home, we should do it away as well. Good luck to all the lads, and hope the likes of Jason Tovey and Will Harries get the recognition they deserve from the Welsh selectors.
Regards, loyal fan and long term season ticket holder Keith Willavise.
PT: “We enjoyed a lot of success last season and a number of players got the recognition they deserve. I think both as management and players we need to be more consistent and look to play as well away from home as we do at Rodney Parade. Can we compete with the likes of Leinster and the Ospreys for the title? We do seem to be behind the big teams, these teams are now major European forces and with the size and quality of their squads as well as the financial institutions that back them, it is difficult. Sides like the Blues and Munster are also big European teams and have proved that over the last few years. The Dragons have proved last season that we are more than capable of beating these sides, I think we just have to be more consistent.”
Q: Do you feel that the Dragons have been underrated over the past few seasons? If you feel what positive and negative influences has this had on the team? Anon
PT: “I wouldn’t say we are underrated because talking to opposition coaches and players they never have an easy time at Rodney Parade. But as I have said before we need to sort our away form out. We have always had a good work ethic and the players never complain about how they are being coached. I think we understand what the professional player needs. Although our training facilities have not been the best over the last five years, to give you an example on Boxing Day last year, where we had a game the next day, we had to find out if the Sainsbury car park was available for our team run because the pitches were frozen! But the facilities at Newport High School have certainly changed that.”
Q: Paul you are now selecting players from the Gwent Premiership teams to train full time with the Dragons coaching staff so that they are ready to play for the Dragons if needed. With this meaning that the Dragons squad will represent the best of the Gwent region can you see one day in the future when the teams name will be called Gwent Dragons or simply the Dragons to encourage all of Gwent to support the Dragons team. David James
PT: “You make a good point but it is simply not within my remit to talk about changing names.”
Q: How will the Dragons be helping out the regional clubs this season? Ben Mason
PT: “Rob Beale and I have put a lot of time into meeting with the four Premiership clubs, Danny Wilson and I have visited them at their summer training sessions and there will be Dragons players playing for our four Premiership club in this seasons campaign. We will monitor their progress and hopefully these players will make the Premiership stronger and in turn help the Dragons.”
Q: Paul, has there ever been a point in your time as coach at Rodney Parade when you have considered quitting? (I don't want to see you go! I'm just curious if you have ever had a low point.) Dai Hazelden.
“Dai, I have always felt there has been great potential at the Dragons. I have a good and honest staff working with me and loyal guys like Martyn Hazell, Jim McCreedy and Rob Beale around. It is always a tough job because the expectations, I know that because of my time at Newport as a player. But the rugby world has changed and we have no divine right to just win. Finance is a huge part of the game today but having worked for organisations like Saracens, Harlequins and Gloucester, money is very important but it is not the be all and end all. The working environment is the most important thing and you have to enjoy going to work each morning. We have a great environment at Rodney Parade with the Dragons. The new facilities at Newport High School have been a major factor in that. The business has got to move with the times if it wants to keep in touch with the moving rugby world.
“The low points in my time here: No one wanted to lose to an Italian team at home in a Heineken Cup play-off so that has to be one. Although I always felt that if you were not ready for European Cup there is no real point being in it. The following season could have been disastrous. But we got to the semi-finals of what is now the Amlin Cup and beat good teams like Bristol, Bayonne and Brive on the way and went out to the eventual champions Clermont Auvergne. So there were positives that came out of it and you can see the Amlin Cup is now quite a prestigious competition in its own right.
“Another has to be the 24-6 half time lead against the Scarlets two years ago. In the second half we just switched off, we went brain dead and ran out of petrol, but that was more shell-shocked than anything else. It is at times like that where you find out who are your real friends.
“Also the 38 phase last play against the Blues on Boxing Day two years ago where we failed three times to drop the goal that would have won us the game we most probably deserved. It was a belter of a game in front of a packed Rodney Parade and the players deserved the huge ovation as they left the field. How ironic Robin Sowden-Taylor charge one of those kicks down!!!!
Q: Hi Paul, You and your team have done a fantastic job for THE REGION do you fancy having a pop at the Welsh job? James Harris
PT: “James, at the moment I have no desire to take on the Welsh job. I am still very passionate about the region and my main ambition is to develop it further. Robert Beale and I are of the same mind, we are both local boys and can see the potential of rugby in Gwent. Developing that is our main priority.
“My only ambition at the moment is to make this a region a place where players want to join. We want to carry on with the style we have developed but also develop that hard edge where we are more than capable of winning games that are in the balance. We also need to develop an away winning mentality.”
