Senior Academy Coach Tom Hancock is looking forward to seeing several Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) stars feature in the development derby against the Scarlets at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.
The Men of Gwent are on a break from BKT United Rugby Championship action until the end of November and so the club’s young stars and returning seniors take centre stage.
Scarlets Development are first up on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm) and Hancock – who leads the side alongside coaches Ceri Jones and Adam Thomas – has named a team with a mixture of first-teamers who need game time, Academy prospects and promising players from SRC.
Newport wing and former Wales sevens international Lloyd Lewis, Black and Ambers centre David Richards and Pontypool centre Joel Mahoney all start the friendly. The Black and Ambers also provide tighthead Nathan Evans and lock Joe Peard among the replacements.
He said: “It’s important to understand the importance of the SRC, in terms of player development. Lloyd, David, Nathan, Joe at Newport and Joel with Pontypool have been playing well. They deserve a chance.
“There are three or four boys at Ebbw Vale we'd like to get involved as well in these fixtures, when the time is right, so it's good for them to get a reward for their outstanding performances in that league.
“Some of those boys have got aspirations to come back into the full-time game. Some want to get the experience of being a full time professional for one or two weeks.
“It'll be a great opportunity for some of those boys to play and to get the preparation of a full time professional.
“There are loads of players who have excelled at that level, who have then gone on and transitioned into being a full-time professional.
“There should 100% be movement, both up and down, if it’s fit for purpose. It’s good to see boys who are regularly playing well at that semi-professional stage get an opportunity. That's something we can do more of.”
Hancock is also looking forward to seeing the club’s best young talent also excel on home soil.
“Giving Academy players an opportunity to play with some senior pros is a good development piece,” he stressed.
“If you think of the second-row pairing of Joe Davies and Nick Thomas. They're maybe at two different ends of the spectrum, but I think they can both get a lot out of it from different standpoints.
“This game helps bridge the gap, between what the young boys are used to playing and playing with the senior pros,” he added.
“It's a steep learning curve for some of them, in terms of the detail and the clarity we want for their understanding of their roles. Hopefully the level of the game will stress them as well, particularly the younger boys.
“We have spoken to the Scarlets coaches throughout the week, and they're looking at it from the same angle, for it to be a high level game and a challenging environment for both sets of players.
“We have had dialogue with Scarlets and both teams are looking at it from a similar point of view, in terms of coach development, player development, and the opportunity to get players on the field to compete for senior squad places.
“Both clubs are aligned, in terms of the way they approach selection, the balance of the bench, so we've got a good contest for both teams.
“In terms of alignment between this game and the senior programme, it's all the same language, all the same calls.
“There’s freedom for us as coaches and as a playing group to deviate a little bit to make it our team, our game, but it's aligned with what the seniors want in terms of a game model.
As for what fans can expect, Hancock added: “It's good opportunity for people who are Season Members and supporters of the Dragons to get a first glimpse of some of our youngest, most exciting prospects, play with the shackles off and with an excitement to go out there and prove themselves.
“It is also a chance to see some of our senior players who are returning from injury, who are short the minutes, put their hand up for selection. It will be exciting and a good thing to come and watch.”
Supporters are advised the fixture will be FREE entry for current Season Members, who simply need to show their pass to gain entry on the day.
The Bisley Stand only will be open for the game with the West Walians, with unreserved seating on a first come, first served basis. General admission to the friendly fixture will be £5 for adults and £1 for juniors.
To buy tickets to the friendly fixture CLICK HERE or call 01633 670690.
It’s good to see boys who are regularly playing well at that semi-professional stage get an opportunity. That's something we can do more of...
