Dean Ryan wants his Dragons to continue to take steps forward this season in the Guinness PRO14 – as they prepare to face a Leinster side that he admits remain the standard-bearers in the competition.
Dragons launch the new campaign in Dublin in Friday night (kick-off 8.15pm) as they look to build on a season of progress and development in 2019/20.
And Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan wants to see continued signs of progress as he looks to maintain an environment that is stable and supportive.
“I want us to keep taking steps forward. To do that, we have to create the right environment,” he told Dragons TV.
“It’s against the development of this team to start talking about where we are going to be.
“You can get caught up with ‘Well, you have signed Jonah Holmes, you have signed Nick Tompkins, you have signed Jamie Roberts, so you are going to be here’.
“This side just needs to keep getting better. It’s still challenged by resources, it’s still very young.
“Leinster remain the side to beat because of their record and their ability to generate young talent. Their back-up team is outstanding,” he added.
“I think Edinburgh are hungry too. I know Richard Cockerill very well and he will have been very disappointed about them not taking their chance in the play-offs.
“Ulster look like they are on the rise. It’s an incredibly tough competition.”
I want us to keep taking steps forward... To do that, we have to create the right environment...
