Rising full back star Huw Anderson has revealed how he was determined not to let his European opportunity pass him by – and how he revelled on a fast track in Newcastle.
Anderson marked his full debut for the Men of Gwent with an eye-catching man-of-the-match performance in the north east of England.
The Wales Under-20s star grabbed a first senior try to secure the 22-14 win and was instrumental as he rattled up six defenders beaten and 186 metres in the game – the second-highest total in European match in the last five seasons.
“I loved it. I have been waiting for this opportunity and I didn’t want to let it pass,” smiled the 20-year-old.
“I just made sure I gave it everything I had, tried to get my hands on the ball and hopefully I’ve given the coaches something to think about.
“It was great to be out there with Nick (Thomas) and Evan (Minto) too, then young lads really fronted up.
“My try happened so fast,” he added. “They made a line break, and we were scrambling, then they knocked on and I just saw a whole lot of space in front of me, so I attacked it.
“You pin your ears back and go. It was nice to beat the cover, get an important score for the team to give us a bit of breathing space.
“I love these fast tracks. They can sting a bit on the knees and elbows, but it is perfect for backs, to get the ball and look to play fast and attack out wide and run it around. It’s good fun.”
The result gave Dragons renowned hope of knockout rugby in the EPCR Challenge Cup and momentum with the Boxing Day derby with Cardiff Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship looming on the horizon.
“It was a big performance from the boys,” added Anderson. “A massive defensive effort to keep them out, especially towards the end when they were throwing everything they had at us.
“Obviously we had the break with the injury to Notty (George Nott), but we had to regroup, keep focussed and we showed good composure in the final stages to see it out. “
We have a chance now to get out of the pool stages with Pau at home and we need to make sure we take that.
“We’ve been chasing results for a while and to come so close, like we did against Montpellier, was tough to take,” he added.
“The spirit in the squad has never been I doubt, we kept believing, and this result can give us a lot of confidence going into derby day on Boxing Day.”
The spirit in the squad has never been I doubt, we kept believing, and this result can give us a lot of confidence going into derby day on Boxing Day...
