Attack Coach Matt O’Brien is ‘loving’ his new senior role with the Dragons - but insists that he is still ‘learning something new every day’ as he looks to make an impact this season.
O’Brien started his coaching career with the Dragons Academy in 2017, alongside his playing career where he has been a semi-pro player and captain at Welsh Premiership side Newport RFC for over a decade. He is also the older brother of current Dragons back Angus O’Brien.
The talented fly half was promoted to the Attack Coach position of the Dragons senior team this summer, putting his playing career to the side in order to focus on his new role.
“If I get some spare weekends to play for Newport then I’m not going to stop that because I still love playing,” he said.
“I will be playing as much as I can, but it will definitely be less this season because my main focus is my career and hopefully having a really good season with the Dragons.
“I don’t think it would be fair to the team to coach them Monday to Friday and not be with them on a Saturday because I’m away playing - this is where I want to be.”
This is O’Brien’s first senior role, however, he insists that he has still got more than enough coaching hours under his belt.
“I started coaching when I was young and came through doing the Under-18s, the Academy and the Celtic Cup side,” he said.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on the grass and hopefully that will stand me in good stead. Even though it’s my first senior job, I’ve done a lot of coaching hours.
“They’re quality, I’ve been blessed with a really good set of players to work with,” O’Brien added on his backline players.
“I’d say I’ve got quite a good relationship with them; they’re always coming to me with ideas, there’s some really good experienced players within the group that I can pick up things from. Hopefully we can grow as a backs unit throughout the season.”
O’Brien’s backs impressed during the recent pre-season friendly win over Ospreys, and will have the opportunity to do so yet again on Friday evening in our friendly match against the Scarlets in Llanelli.
I’ve spent a lot of time on the grass and hopefully that will stand me in good stead. Even though it’s my first senior job, I’ve done a lot of coaching hours...
