Elliot Dee has praised the professional and performance-driven environment at Dragons under Dean Ryan – and admits there is a ‘buzz’ as the countdown continues to the resumption of action.
Wales international Dee and his team-mates are busy preparing for the return of the Guinness PRO14 at the end of August.
The hooker has featured on eight occasions under Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan during the current season.
And the 26-year-old has backed the culture being built at Ystrad Mynach.
"It's a lot more of a professional environment and a performance-driven environment," said Dee, talking to the Don't Give a Ruck podcast.
"We are not spoon-fed, we are given the tools to go away and learn things.
"We talk a lot about culture, where words don't need to be said and actions are lived out.
"It's about building a winning culture and a performance culture, an environment where everyone can thrive.
"I had my first day in since lockdown and texted a member of coaching staff to say it was unbelievable how professional it was.
"It was like an international environment, and that's something we've lacked in the past.
“We've not really had the little things right but now everything is taken care of so that you can perform.
"There is a buzz around the place,” he added. “We have made some head-turning signings and people got on board with the journey we were on last year and saw some success.
"It's not just about games we won, there were some other games that were pivotal. We wouldn't have qualified for the quarter-finals of Europe if we hadn't got a losing bonus point at Worcester with 14 men.
"Taine got red-carded and in the past we would have lost by 50 points because there would have been no belief or leadership on the field. I can tell you we are all excited and raring to get going again."
Listen to Elliot on the Don't Give a Ruck podcast by clicking HERE
We talk a lot about culture, where words don't need to be said and actions are lived out...
