Boss Dai Flanagan has praised the resilience of his Dragons ahead of the BKT United Rugby Championship clash with league leaders Leinster Rugby.
The Men of Gwent travel to Dublin and the RDS Arena to face undefeated Leinster on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.35pm) to the backdrop of off-field issues.
Much of this week has centred around the long-term pay agreement in Welsh rugby and Flanagan concedes it has understandably had an impact on his players.
But he has praised the manner with which his players have turned things around to prepare in the best possible fashion for Saturday’s showdown.
“It was tough Monday and Tuesday,” admitted Flanagan. “We had a group of flat players, but this playing group are unbelievable, the resilience they have shown to prepare the end of this week has been outstanding.
“I have been around lots of teams and lots of environments and it was difficult for them at the start of the week.
“I can’t speak highly enough of them and the way they have turned this week around. We’re excited to go out there.
“There was stress at the start of the week, with all they have been put through and where they are at.
“But they are a resilient bunch - I can’t help love working with them.
“They have turned it around. We had a fantastic end to the session on Tuesday and we had a great day on Thursday.
“We’re looking forward to the weekend. Let’s not hide. Leinster away is going to be tough and things do play on people’s minds.
“We have our challenges, but I am sure we will represent ourselves the best we can.”
Flanagan revealed Dragons are set to welcome back Ross Moriarty an Angus O’Brien after layoffs – but niggles remain in camp ahead of final selection.
“We are a bit banged up. We still haven’t really recovered from that last block of games we had,” conceded Flanagan.
“But I am excited to see this group of players go this weekend. If you could pick the toughest team we could pick on paper, it wouldn’t be far off that this week. That excites me.
“We do have niggles. Sean Lonsdale and George Nott are touch and go and Joe Davies is still struggling post his last concussion.”
If you could pick the toughest team we could pick on paper, it wouldn’t be far off that this week... That excites me...
