Head Coach Filo Tiatia admits Dragons are excited to get back home and play in front of the passionate Rodney Parade faithful for a massive derby encounter to open 2026.
The Men of Gwent welcome Scarlets in the BKT United Rugby Championship on New Year’s Day (kick-off 3pm) for a game that will be played out in front of a bumper home crowd.
The Bisley Stand and Candleston Homes Stand are both sold out while terrace places are being snapped up fast as a huge crowd descends on Newport.
“We’re looking forward to New Year’s Day. It’s a local derby and all the players are excited to be involved,” said Tiatia.
“The players love the fans. They turn up in numbers and are very loud. We’re excited to go again back home.
"It’s our sixth fixture in ten-week block and it’s an important game. We have prepared well and are ready to go.
“We know that Dwayne Peel is doing a good job in Llanelli and we are excited for them to come to our home, to Rodney Parade, and have a big derby.”
Reflecting on the Cardiff performance, Tiatia added: “There were some positives, and we stayed in fight to try and win it at the end.
“We were maybe five or ten per cent off in terms of some physicality parts of game, but we have lots to take forward into the Scarlets game.
“We had a good and honest review into the game. It was 15 penalties conceded and eight for Cardiff and it is hard to win games with a yellow card and when you give opportunities for teams to get in your 22 and score points. We know where we need to be better."
Dragons have named the starting line-up for the home league fixture and have reshaped the back row with Harri Keddie and Harry Beddall both called up.
And Tiatia acknowledges it will be a key area as Scarlets also welcome back influential captain Josh Macleod.
“When I first met Josh Macleod last year, I said I was a fan of how he played. He is robust and he is tough. It’s going to be a good battle in the loose forwards,” concluded Tiatia
“We’ve gone with Harry Beddall, Harri Keddie and Waino as a group and it will be hotly contested around gain line, stopping momentum. It’ll be a good contest.”
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The players love the fans. They turn up in numbers and are very loud. We’re excited to go again back home...
