ROBIN DAVEY is a regular at Rodney Parade, acting as chief rugby writer for the South Wales Argus over the last 42 years before retiring in December. The Argus praised his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game saying he was irreplaceable and that they were ‘pretty sure we won’t see his like again’ but ... he’s back!
His retirement has allowed him to break free of the journalistic shackles and devote more time to his love for the Dragons!
JEVON GROVES has been flying high to all parts of the world over the past few years, but now he's firmly grounded with a dual aim -- to force his way into the Dragons team on a more regular basis and to help fire Cross Keys to glory in the British and Irish Cup.
The strapping 6ft 4ins, 16st 7lbs forward prefers the No 6 role, but is equally happy at No 8 and more recently has been filling in at lock in view of the Dragons' injury problems there and the need to rest Rob Sidoli in particular.
Luke Charteris and Scott Morgan are both long term absentees and hard working Adam Jones has gone down with an ankle injury, hence the need for Groves to deputise.
He's happy to do that as long as it presses his claim for a starting place in the side more often. "I don't mind playing at lock, I just want to get on the field," he said.
"I played a bit there for Wales Under 20s and I was an understudy there for the Six Nations and for the World Cup when it was played in Swansea. A few others with the Dragons can play in different positions, like Lewis Evans.
"My aim is to get more starting appearances for the Dragons after the LV= Cup is over and break into the team for the RaboDirect."
He recognises that is going to be quite a task because he is up against two-thirds of the highly rated Wales back row in Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau.
"It's not going to be easy because Dan and Toby are world class players," he admitted. "It'll be good to learn from them, but they'll be away with Wales and even if I can be No 2 to them I'll be quite happy.
"It's still a great opportunity for me to play at the top level. The youngsters are ambitious and hungry and it bodes well for the competitiveness of the squad which will push us on as a team."
This is the first season for the past three years when Groves hasn't been jetting off to some of the rugby hotspots all over the world as a member of the Wales Sevens team.
He represented Wales in the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010 and has played in top tournaments in New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Las Vegas.
His favourite destination out of that mouth-watering list? Without hesitation he names New Zealand. "The one in Wellington is terrific, the ground is packed with 40,000 fans in there, most of them in fancy dress," he enthused. "After that it's probably the one in Las Vegas.
"You are playing against some of the best sevens players in the world in these events and it develops the boys a heck of a lot for the 15s game - look at players like Lloyd Williams, Alex Cuthbert and Jason Tipuric and where they are now."
Groves is finished with the Wales squad in the sevens game for now, but it's all happening for him at regional and club level, with more Dragons appearances and that huge carrot of a British & Irish Cup semi-final with his club Cross Keys who stormed through their quarter-final with against Llanelli.
Groves played his part in that triumph and emulates the words of coach Greg Woods in believing they can go all the way. He has made 52 appearances for Keys and says, "They have been good for me, they are a good, honest team and are really progressing which shows in the British and Irish Cup and in the league.
"I don't see why we can't win the cup. We play especially well at home and we won't fear anyone in the competition now."
Groves has adopted Gwent as his rugby home - he's also studying for a masters degree in sports coaching at Newport University on a part-time basis - but he is actually Llantrisant born and bred, girl friend Natasha is from there and he still lives there, travelling to Rodney Parade with teammate Darren Waters, who is from Beddau.
"I've been here for a few years now, it's only 25 minutes away and I share a lift with Darren," he said, the former Pontypridd flanker having joined the Dragons last summer.
Groves' early rugby career was with Cardiff Blues. He was a member of their Academy for three years and affiliated to the Cardiff club team in the Welsh Premiership, starting off in the backs but eventually moving to his favourite blindside flanker position.
While he was with the Wales Under-20s he got to know Rob Beale and Rob Appleyard, now the Dragon's director of rugby and defence coach, respectively, and Beale in particular encouraged him to join Cross Keys after he was released by Cardiff.
The 23-year-old has never looked back, now in his third year at Pandy Park and making himself a useful member of the Dragons squad. But he is hoping for much more than that as he begins to climb the rugby ladder.
