Head Coach Dai Flanagan has acknowledged his Dragons need to ‘go to battle’ this weekend as they prepare to take on both the weather conditions and a fired-up Connacht side in Galway.
The first block of the BKT United Rugby Championship comes to a close with an away trip to Ireland to face a Connacht side also eager to finish on a high after defeat to Leinster last time out.
Flanagan has reflected on a first block of progress but not results for his charges.
And on a fast plastic track at the Dexcom Stadium, he has told his Dragons what they must expect on their travels.
“The artificial pitch is built for a faster game with a quicker speed of ball and quicker scrums, but it’s the other elements in Galway,” he said.
“It’s forecast that there will be 28mph winds, which usually go straight down the field. We have to be prepared for that and the rain.
“We will have to go to battle this weekend. I would be very surprised if we go there and it’s not windy and rainy, it’s a lot easier to prepare for that and adapt if it’s dry than ignore what could be coming.
“We just need to hone in on what we have been good at and get better at it to earn more rewards. If we excel at what we have been good at then we will have a good day at the office.
“It’s been a first block of progress and you can see elements where we have developed, but we are all obsessed with outcomes,” he added.
“It’s hard as a head of an organisation to keep driving the processes and that it will okay, but what is pleasing is the amount of support and belief around the place.
“The sky is our limit, but we have to stay on task and keep getting better each week.”
Flanagan also believes that fans can see the identity his team is trying to adopt.
He added: “Those that have turned up and stuck with us throughout this first block will have seen how we want to play.
“We want to have excitement and energy in our game, we are proud to represent our people and if we stick with that then we will become more difficult to beat moving forward.”
It’s forecast that there will be 28mph winds, which usually go straight down the field. We have to be prepared for that and the rain...
