Former France international Olivier Azam is relishing working on the front row power at Dragons – as he bids to help the region upset his countrymen at Rodney Parade today (Saturday).
Dragons launch the European Challenge Cup campaign with a Pool 1 clash against former Top14 champions, Castres Olympique, in Newport (kick-off 3pm).
And trying to help mastermind upsetting the French giants is a man who will need little introduction to them in ex-France and Gloucester hooker/prop Azam.
Azam has been brought into the camp by Director of Dragons Rugby Dean Ryan to provide extra pearls of wisdom to the front rowers.
And Azam has revelled in the task as he gets to work with the young front rowers and experienced talent.
He said: “It has been great to be involved with Dragons. There are a lot of good things going on at the moment, a lot of good change.
“Dean is bringing in new things and from what I can see, from spending some time with them, the boys are enjoying it and working hard. Slowly the team is getting better.
“I am trying to bring a bit of help to the front row, especially in the scrum,” he added. “Leon (Brown) is making massive progress in all of the front row work.
“I am really pleased with how much they are all keen to work and keen to learn. It is an extra voice, from me, to try to help.
“There is a good mix here. Lots of good young front row players who are eager to learn and to play, which is what you want.
“There are also guys who have got a bit more miles on the clock, like Richard Hibbard who is doing a great job at bringing all these young kids to be ready to play for Dragons.”
Azam, 45, has enjoyed a change of scenery after a coaching career that has seen him impress at Toulon, Lyon and Oyonnax.
“Things are different in every club and every province,” he smiled. “What is difficult as coaching staff is how to present yourself, it is about saying the same thing but in a different way.
“Some things work with some players and some work better with others. It is about going through the process with them, the small details, and trying to get them to work together.”
Dragons will tackle a Castres side today who have made sweeping changes to their line-up, after a win over Brive last weekend that moved them up to 11th place in the Top14.
However, Azam has warned against allowing the French side to play.
“Castres is a big historic club in French rugby, but a club that is not doing as well as it used to this season,” he said.
“But you can be sure, in a new competition and with less pressure of the Top14, they will bring a big pack and they will challenge.
“If they get chances they will be very dangerous.”
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There is a good mix here... Lots of good young front row players who are eager to learn and to play, which is what you want...
