Screech and Nansen have teamed up over the derby period with the two enforcers helping Dragons to a tense 23-22 victory over Ospreys last weekend.
The big duo will again join forces at Parc y Scarlets as Dragons look to defeat Scarlets in a big Guinness PRO14 encounter this afternoon (kick-off 5.15pm).
And ahead of that match-up, Screech has spoken about his partnership with former Auckland Blues ace.
“Brandon is an awesome player,” said Screech. “He is a really humble person and when we play together he is flying out and smashing people. That is exactly what Ceri (Jones) wants and he is doing really well.
“People expected a lot of him straight away and if people didn’t see him in one game they can make opinions. But you could see when he arrived that he was going to be a really good player.
“The last couple of games he has been really reliable and just does what he does.
“Ceri has said to me and Brandon that he wants us to be physical people and it has been nice to have a consistent run of games. I’m enjoying playing.”
Screech also believes playing three locks in the line-up – with captain Cory Hill moving to the back row – has also helped Dragons perform on the field.
“The originally asked me to jump at six and Cory to call the lineouts in the Clermont game, because we wanted a bigger pack,” admitted Screech.
“That game it worked really well - we were in that game for 80 minutes and put in a really good fight. The three of us worked well together.
“I’m getting a bit more lineout ball now and I’m enjoying it. We have options so in defence it has worked well again.
“Cory is a really good athlete. He can slip into that six slot easily and you have the likes of Cuddy (Nic Cudd) who can come back at any time. We have options and it has worked well for us.”
Dragons complete the derby period with the fixture in Llanelli and Screech admits the three-game series has been an enjoyable - if bruising – time for all the players.
“We are all bruised up, but that is what derby games are like. I love them,” he added.
“At Rodney Parade last weekend it was awesome, the atmosphere was amazing and you don’t really feel the bumps and bruises in those game.
“They are best games of the year. Everyone comes to see and it was great that we could get that important first derby win.”
Dragons return to Rodney Parade on Friday, January 11 when we face Timisoara Saracens in the European Challenge Cup. Visit the Ticket Office to buy your ticket or click HERE to buy online.
We are all bruised up, but that is what derby games are like. I love them,
