Head Coach Dai Flanagan wants his Dragons to embrace and enjoy the challenge as they head to the Aviva Stadium to face Leinster Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).
Flanagan’s men face the new surroundings of the Aviva Stadium while Leinster continue redevelopment work at the RDS.
The Irish province boast an impressive record at the Dublin stadium - they have played thirty previous Championship matches at the venue with their only two defeats being to Munster in 2014 and 2023.
However, Flanagan believes his team can face the test head-on and revealed how the pre-season date with Bath under the lights was booked with Leinster in mind.
“We went to Bath on a Friday night to mirror what's coming this Friday, it gives us an opportunity to review how we were at Bath, how we behaved, how we started,” he said.
“We know what's coming. Bath were full of internationals and I'm sure Leinster will be, but we're a pretty decent team, and building an identity we're all proud of.
“I remember going to the Aviva with Scarlets in semi-finals and finals and running the tee on and messaging from (Wayne) Pivac and co,” he added.
“It was an awesome occasion and, as a rugby purist, to be out in the middle, having never got to play there, and to be part of that was special.
“Our players get to be part of it and I'm sure there's a spring in everyone's step looking forward to it.”
Flanagan admits his team will have to work under pressure against a Leinster side renowned for performances on home soil and set to be bolstered by the return of many star names.
“We will really need to lean on what our place is built on, what our club is built on, to go out there and perform. We need to protect each other, go hard, and deliver a performance,” he stated.
“It’s the same size field, isn't it? There is a big stadium around it and different opposition. But we're still playing on a rugby pitch.
“For as long as I can remember this club haven’t been great away from home, so why not start this weekend?
“Teams build momentum. It’s how we control momentum in games of rugby and capitalise on our opportunities.
“There have been two occasions since I've been here when it's been really tough to stop momentum. We're trying our best to make sure that doesn't happen again.”
We will really need to lean on what our place is built on, what our club is built on, to go out there and perform. We need to protect each other, go hard, and deliver a performance...
