Boss Dean Ryan has praised the performances of young centre Aneurin Owen during the opening rounds of European Challenge Cup.
Despite suffering defeat, Owen was one of the standout performers for Dragons against Lyon at Rodney Parade last Friday night.
His ball playing ability came to the fore as well as eighteen carries across the first two rounds - putting him fifth on the list of top carriers in the competition.
And Ryan has praised the youngster and is happy with the development of the Dragons Academy graduate.
“I thought Aneurin (Owen) and Adam (Warren) have been really good and you can see that,” said the Director of Dragons Rugby.
“Aneurin is a 21-year-old and he is out there in a big game and he is starting to flourish. We are starting to play a style that allows him to play like that.
“I thought he was struggling a little pre-autumn and that’s what we are trying to get past. We are not going to shy away from that, it’s tough sometimes, it’s tough in the changing rooms and it’s tough when people ask questions.
“But there is also some really good stuff going on and his development and his performances are something we are very pleased with.”
In a world of giant game breaking centres, Owen is different with his ball playing ability, and silky handling skills marking him out as a star of the future.
While many aspiring young rugby players might dream of playing for some of European rugby’s powerhouse clubs, former Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw pupil Owen’s dream was always to represent the Dragons.
And it is an aspiration he has realised having now established himself as a key member of Dean Ryan’s side.
“From the age of nine to 17 I was a season ticket holder with the Dragons,” he said.
“I used to go everywhere with my dad, brother, and mates to watch them play. Former Dragons centre Ashley Smith was my favourite player.
“When I was 18, I started training with the Dragons which was a dream come true, but also pretty daunting. You go from playing with boys your age to training with fully grown men who are professionals.
“The first session is always pretty tough, and you are blowing loads, but you get used to it. I was nervous because there’s a lot of boys I hadn’t met before. I was a little bit cagey, nervous, and shy but after a few sessions I felt part of the team.”
Owen was a standout player for Wales at age grade level, starring at both Under-18s and Under-20s level.
Talk to just about anyone involved in the Welsh development pathway and they all pinpoint Owen as a Wales star of the future.
And he has an admirer in Wales head coach Wayne Pivac who called him into train with the senior squad this summer.
“I feel as if I’m heading in the right direction, and I’ve always been really keen to keep improving as a player, and keep learning as much as possible,” he said.
“At the moment, the Dragons is definitely the place where I feel as if I’m doing that. As an individual I’m getting better all the time.
“It was a great experience to train with Wales. It was a real positive experience where I got to learn from the best players, and the best coaches so I could see how I would cope in that environment.”
Aneurin is a 21-year-old and he is out there in a big game and he is starting to flourish... We are starting to play a style that allows him to play like that...
