Front row rock Brok Harris knows Dragons must be ready to face a ‘forward battle’ against Castres – but he believes the pack have already made ‘massive strides’ in recent weeks.
Harris, 34, has been a key performer this season for Dean Ryan’s men, starting all six Guinness PRO14 games.
The prop stalwart will be at the forefront once again as Dragons kick-off Europe this Saturday with a Pool 1 opener against Castres Olympique at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).
And the South African, who arrived from the Stormers in 2014, knows exactly what to expect having lined up against the Top14 giants in 2016 when Dragons claimed a 31-18 win.
“We’ve been working hard in pre-season and over the last few weeks on keeping it simple and just focussing on the stuff we can control as a forward pack,” he said.
“We have made massive strides in the last couple of weeks, especially up at Edinburgh where we stopped their maul on our line. That is a massive positive for us.
“It is the French tradition to scrum and maul, so it was a really good outing for us against Edinburgh.
“I think we are going to face the same thing, scrum and maul, against Castres. It is going to be a forward battle, but I am sure we can handle that. “
"Every competition is important, but we seem to do really well in Europe,” he added.
“We are going to focus on what we can control, look to improve every week, especially against a French side that will come out and try and dominate. We will definitely be up for it.
“I remember the game back in 2016. It was set piece, set piece and that is what we are prepped for. “We have to try and enforce our game plan and not just sit back and let them come to Rodney Parade with their own plans.”
Harris has been clocking up the minutes this season, but he has no complaints about the game time.
“I’m just happy to play,” smiled Harris.
“Whatever is expected of me I will do. I will just keep my head down, play and try and perform, week in and week out, to keep the standards high.
“The average age is a little bit higher when myself and Hibbs (Richard Hibbard) play,” he joked.
“There is experience between us and we are just trying to let the younger guys learn and try to pass our experience down to them.”
Tickets remain on sale NOW for the European opener with Castres at Rodney Parade. Click HERE to buy your tickets and get ready for the return of European rugby.
We are going to focus on what we can control... especially against a French side that will come out and try and dominate. We will definitely be up for it...
