Back row James Benjamin has urged the young Dragons to stay on the attack in the Celtic Cup.
Benjamin made a successful playing return in last week’s bonus point win over Munster A at Rodney Parade.
The 25-year-old admitted the attacking and fast paced tempo of the cup clash was the ‘perfect’ test after six months ruled out with a neck injury.
And now he wants Dragons XV to keep to the same style and philosophy when they make the short trip to the Arms Park to face Cardiff Blues A on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm).
“The philosophy in this competition is to play and play for space,” said Benjamin. “The coaches have told us if we see space to attack it and express ourselves.
“It was coast to coast at times against Munster and the youngsters here love that. The players have enjoyed that style and we certainly have enough ability in the Celtic Cup squad to hurt any team.
“Credit to the young team we had out, they played fantastic and carried on the work they had done in the first game with Connacht Eagles,” he added.
“We didn’t really have the rub of the green or the bounce of the ball out in Galway in the opening round, but we came back well and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.”
Benjamin had not pulled on a Dragons jersey since the Guinness PRO14 encounter with Benetton Rugby in February.
And he admits it was great to put the frustration of injury to bed.
“I had a text earlier in the week to say that I was playing – and 80 minutes certainly tested me out,” he smiled.
“The neck injury was a weird one. I lost some strength in my arm as a result of it so it took some time to recover.
“It took me six months and that can be really frustrating, but I’m back now doing what I love most so it is all behind me.
“Last year I was playing centre against Munster in the Celtic Cup, but as long as I’m on the field then I’m happy and that is all that matters.
“The body was certainly a bit sore after the game, but it has been a long time coming just to get out on the pitch.
“I was very excited to get back out there and it was a perfect game to come back to and really test the lungs and legs.”
After a narrow defeat at Connacht and comprehensive victory over Munster, Dragons XV know they will need to keep standards high against a dangerous Cardiff Blues A team in the Welsh capital.
But Benjamin firmly believes the team has given itself a strong platform to enjoy a strong cup campaign in the remaining five rounds.
“We have given ourselves a chance to really do something in this competition with the win over Munster. Everyone is beating each other so it looks wide open,” he said.
“I look around the squad, see the boys in training, and know there is real quality throughout.
“The Academy here constantly produces great players my job is to go out there and give them a platform to show those skills and showcase what they are all about.”
I was very excited to get back out there and it was a perfect game to come back to and really test the lungs and legs...
