Dragons XV Head Coach Luke Narraway has urged the talented youngsters at the region to use the platform of the Celtic Cup to ‘showcase their talent’ to Dean Ryan.
Former England international Narraway - who spent last season working at French top-flight giants Bordeaux-Begles - will lead Dragons XV this season and has already been impressed by the ‘lorryload of talent’ at the region.
Dragons kick-off the new Celtic Cup this Friday afternoon when they face Connacht Eagles in Galway (kick-off 2pm).
And Narraway, who is joined in a new-look coaching set-up by WRU International Skills Coach (Forwards) Geraint Lewis, has told the young Dragons this is the time to shine.
"There is a lot of talent out there and the thing that they need now is exposure at a level that will test them," he said.
"That's why the Celtic Cup is so good and we can see if they can step up to the next level.
"It's really important for the guys to realise that this is their opportunity and if they do put their hands up then Dean will have more trust in them.
"This is a chance to show that they are ready, and they might even get to the point where they are outperforming first team players.
"We are blessed to have a lot of very talented young men at the region,” he added. “There will also be a certain amount of players training with the first team that will drop down to get minutes, so things will change week to week.
"There is a lorryload of talent at Dragons and as coaches we need to make sure we give the guys a platform to showcase what they can do to the best of their ability."
Looking ahead to the campaign, Narraway added: "I'd love to sit here and say we are going to win seven out of seven games and then go onto the final and win that, but I think this tournament is about opportunity to see the next group of stars that will push for places at the Dragons.
"There is the blend of the two things, we'd like good results but we want to provide a platform for players to showcase their talent, that's the ultimate goal.
"If we do so correctly, put on a good programme for them, and let them express themselves within a structure then we should get a good performance and then ultimately a result."
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There is a lorryload of talent at Dragons and as coaches we need to make sure we give the guys a platform to showcase what they can do...
