Head Coach Dai Flanagan will send his Dragons out on home soil on New Year’s Day with a simple message – you owe our supporters a performance.
The Men of Gwent will be aiming to make it three wins on the spin at Rodney Parade – following victories over Ospreys and Oyonnax – when they face Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Monday evening (kick-off 5.15pm).
But Flanagan understands his team also needs to produce after the manner of the defeat to local rivals Cardiff Rugby on Boxing Day.
“We’ve won our last two games at Rodney Parade, and we must now build momentum at home,’ he said.
“We want to represent our people well and we owe our people a performance because they've backed this club.
“No one's hurting more than myself and the players after last weekend and we know we owe it to the people.
“You will see a young, refreshing Dragons team running out this week with lots to prove and lots of opportunity being given.
“We all know the Boxing Day performance was a tough one to take and totally unacceptable,” he added.
“It was not what we expected, and we've had to look at it hard and long. There will be certain things on the back of it that we must do as a club to make sure we move in the right direction.
“I’ve spoken to the owners, and they've been very good since the game.
“The three people who've taken over this club really care about this club. They're very supportive of the direction we need to take, and we need to move quicker on certain things.”
Looking ahead to the challenge that Scarlets pose, Flanagan added: “They have a super talented squad - some of the best players in Wales still wear the red shirt of the Scarlets.
“They are a superstar 15, if they can get their best players back and on the field.
“They’ve created loads of opportunities in the last two games I’ve watched and just not executed them.
“They can take lots of positives out of that, but you do need to start scoring. We just need to make sure it doesn't happen this week.”
Tickets for the home derby game with Scarlets - as well as our European game with Hollywoodbets Sharks - are on sale NOW – click HERE to buy online or call the Ticket Office team on 01633 670 690 during office hours.
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No one's hurting more than myself and the players after last weekend and we know we owe it to the people...
