Boss Dean Ryan believes the European Challenge Cup can reinvigorate his Dragons – as they prepare for a huge French double header in the coming weeks.
Dragons make the trip to the south of France this Saturday to tackle Top 14 side Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral (kick-off 5.30pm UK time).
French powerhouse side Lyon then arrive at Rodney Parade on Friday, December 17 (kick-off 8pm).
Director of Rugby Ryan is looking forward to the challenge of the weeks ahead and hopes the competition will energise the side after recent United Rugby Championship games.
“This competition gives us an opportunity to look at some different things, different combinations,” said Ryan.
“We’ve not been pleased with our performances in the last two weeks, we have come second, so this gives us a chance to move combinations and reinvigorate our game.
“We are aware that some of our resources are thin, we have something like 35% of our front-line team out, but that is the time for opportunities,” he added.
“I don’t think there is anyone here that doesn’t understand the challenge we face with resource sometimes, and when it is multiple injuries in one position, we have to switch to giving opportunities.
“A major part of my job is keeping stable during those periods. We’ve bought lots of youngsters through, when you think of the likes of Ben Carter last year.
“The environment has to remain stable for those young players to come in and feel part of something. Now more so than ever.”
Last season the region’s Champions Cup campaign was derailed by Covid, forcing a number of players to miss the early rounds.
And Ryan is hopeful this season will be a different story and about building those positive experiences.
“Europe is always important to us,” he said. “It is not something we set out and go ‘we’re going to win this’, but what we do is set out to get some great experiences.
“I think we’ve been robbed off those opportunities, certainly last year, and it is a huge coincidence with the timing and high Covid risk as we go into cross border competition.
“Last year it hurt us hard pre-Wasps and pre-Bordeaux. We never got the experiences that we wanted.
“This season we face Perpignan, Lyon and Gloucester, teams we are not used to playing, therefore they offer us different challenges, especially the French sides.”
This season we face Perpignan, Lyon and Gloucester, teams we are not used to playing, therefore they offer us different challenges, especially the French sides...
