Full back Angus O’Brien believes he has returned a more mature player to Dragons RFC - as he prepares to launch his second spell with the Men of Gwent.
O’Brien – who turns 28 today (Saturday) - will line-up in the 15 jersey this evening at the DAM Health Stadium as Dragons tackle Edinburgh.
It has been a summer of change for Dragons with O’Brien one of nine new players to come into the squad.
O’Brien’s immediate impact, at a club where he has already made 70 appearances, has been praised by the coaching team of Dean Ryan and Dai Flanagan.
And the Caerleon-born back is eager to take his second opportunity with both hands.
“It's been good to be back. I'm really enjoying it,” said O’Brien.
“A lot has changed. It's a completely different squad, new set of coaches, albeit with a few of the boys that I was here with the first time around now senior boys.
“It's been good reintegrating back into the squad. All the new lads that have come in have been excellent, on and off the field, and it’s created more of a competitive environment.
“I've been away for four years and I think I've matured as a person and a player,” he added.
“I learned a lot at the Scarlets. There were a lot of top end internationals there that used to pick the brains of. I’m now eager to kick on.”
O’Brien pinpoints the competition for places as key for the club going forward and believes that will also see players hit new heights.
“In terms of what's changed at the club since I was last here, the main thing I've noticed is that competition,” he said.
“Training is competitive, there's depth all around the squad now and that can only be beneficial for us going forward.
“Depth breeds competition and brings out the best out of us. Every day you're fighting, everyone wants to start, everyone wants to be in the matchday squad.
“We all have different types of experience, and it enables us all to be learning off each other.
“It's been good this pre-season, having that competition across the park and hopefully we can put it into practice on the weekend.”
One familiar face for O’Brien is that of Head Coach Flanagan who made the same journey from Scarlets.
“He has a very positive outlook on the game - he's brought that with him. All the boys are right behind him,” said O’Brien of Flanagan’s impact.
“He’s had a positive impression on the group for sure. It's a fresh pair of eyes on the training field, a fresh approach and he’s started well with the things he’s brought in.”
The first test for O’Brien and his team-mates arrives on Saturday evening against an Edinburgh side who impressed in the BKT United Rugby Championship last season to take seventh spot and the top Scottish side crown.
He said: “It’s going to be a good test. That fast pitch tends to make the game a lot quicker, the speed the ball quicker, and they like to play from everywhere. We’re aware of what they offer.
“We're looking forward to trying to impose our game on them, the things we've worked on over these last three months.
“It's an exciting place to go and play- we're all raring to go.
“Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds consistency - it's something we know as a squad,” added O’Brien, on the target for Dragons this season.
“Looking at Dragons, they’ve been in games, but we now need to capitalise on those opportunities and finish games off better.
“It’s an area we know we need to be better at and I'm positive in the fact that we will be this season.”
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It's been good reintegrating back into the squad... All the new lads that have come in have been excellent, on and off the field, and it’s created more of a competitive environment...
