Dean Ryan has backed Wales international Leon Brown to a be ‘weapon’ for Dragons this season – after praising the prop’s attitude since returning to the region.
The 22-year-old missed out on World Cup selection with Wales for the showpiece event in Japan, despite being part of the warm-up games and camps.
However, the front row returned for Dragons with a powerful display at Thomond Park in the Guinness PRO14 opener at Munster to the delight of new boss Ryan.
“I thought our scrum was great and Leon Brown was great,” said Ryan.
“Leon has attracted a lot of headlines, but I think people should go and look at that because that is a weapon moving forward for the Dragons.
“I’ve been impressed by how open he has been,” he added.
“I don’t know the answers, I’m not a scrum coach, but I did ask him to look at doing things differently.
“It’s pointless carrying on doing the same thing. We have tried to spend some time at changing things.
“To have someone who has played international rugby be that open and try and bring some of those things into a PRO14 game is great.
“Sometimes you have more to lose because of your status, than somebody who is breaking into the team.
“There has been a spotlight on him, not being picked for the World Cup is difficult, so I’m delighted with him. We all know what he can do. But you have to scrum first.
“That could be a picture for us as a team. We did some nice things against Munster, but you have to be in the physical contest first. If not, here of all places you will get a lesson.”
Leon has attracted a lot of headlines, but I think people should go and look at that because that is a weapon moving forward for the Dragons...
