Dai Flanagan has urged his Dragons to generate their own energy and play smart as they bid to end their Jekyll and Hyde performances this season.
The Men of Gwent jet out to Italy this weekend to face an impressive Benetton Rugby side in Treviso on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm UK).
Head Coach Flanagan has praised the evolution of Benetton this season and admits they are one of the most rounded sides in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
However, for a final trip out of the country this season, Flanagan is eager for his team to focus on themselves and reproduce the energy and fight that is seen at Rodney Parade.
“We shared a stat with the squad early part of this week, and we are a bit Jekyll and Hyde and two different teams,” he revealed.
“The challenge is on us when we go away to fight for what we fight for when we are at home.
“It’s easy at home because our people are there, the people we represent, our family, our friends, our fans. You can see the fight.
“At home we have averaged 18 points conceded, our away is above 40. Our challenge is to not let that happen and that starts this week.
“This is our last away game out of the country, it is a big challenge for us, and I don’t think there will be many players on the pitch who won’t be here next year. We are building to that to be better.
“But there will be some players on the pitch who want to impress for wherever it will be for them next.
“It’s also a bit of pride for us. An away record like that is nothing to be proud of.
“I thought the Benetton versus Connacht game was a superb game of rugby last weekend. Two very good sides and they are the teams we play next,” he added.
“For us to compete at that table we will have to do certain things well.
“At home we do rely on our fans a lot to give us that momentum and that energy.
“The first step of this two-week block is away, so we need to drive our own energy and be smart with how we play.
“We want to go and express ourselves. We don’t play many 3pm kick-offs on a Saturday afternoon and we all thrive for those days and here is an opportunity for us to do it.”
Join us on Green Day at Rodney Parade when we face Connacht on Saturday, April 27 (kick-off 8pm). CLICK HERE or call 01633 670690 during office hours.
The challenge is on us when we go away to fight for what we fight for when we are at home... We want to go and express ourselves...
