Centre Steff Hughes admits Dragons need to take a big opportunity to put things right when they face the might of Vodacom Bulls at Rodney Parade on Friday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
Hughes endured a frustrating return to Parc y Scarlets on New Year’s Day as Dragons lost to 14-men Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
There is little time to dwell on the result with the challenge of Vodacom Bulls arriving in Newport on Friday evening.
And Hughes acknowledges Dragons must channel any frustration over recent results the right way and look for a positive reaction back on home soil.
“It was a frustrating return for me,” said Hughes, on his return to Llanelli.
“There were patches in the first half when I thought we played quite well, things we wanted to take to the Scarlets we did.
“In fairness to them, after half-time they came out with a lot of energy, and we didn’t execute what we wanted to do at all. We must take it on the chin.
“We weren’t the better team, and we now have a five-day turnaround to the next game. It’s a big opportunity for us to put things right.”
Hughes admits consistency in performance is now crucial for the Men of Gwent as well as nailing down close games – after the last two home fixtures were lost on the final play.
“Against Cardiff we played exceptionally well for 79 minutes. We should have won that game,” he insisted.
“Against Scarlets we weren’t good enough and we have to get better.
“We are making strides as a team; we just need consistency,” added Hughes.
“We are getting close in tight games and need to get it over the line. That for us, as a group, is a big learning moving forward.
“It’s a big opportunity when you lose like we did (against Scarlets) to sit down and be honest with each other and get better.
“A five-day turnaround is tough, but we don’t have too long to think about it as we are straight into the next one. That is the advantage.
“Physically it is a difficult block, so we need to make sure we recover well, and learn quickly because it is a big game back at home.”
Tickets are on sale NOW for the home game with Vodacom Bulls this Friday evening. CLICK HERE or call 01633 670690.
Physically it is a difficult block, so we need to make sure we recover well, and learn quickly because it is a big game back at home...
