Filo Tiatia wants his Dragons to focus on themselves as they look to keep EPCR Challenge Cup aspirations on track this weekend.
The Men of Gwent welcome Section Paloise to Rodney Parade this Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3.15pm) in Round 3.
Dragons are firmly in the shake-up for the knockout stages after defeating Newcastle Falcons in the last round to move into third spot in Pool 2.
Dragons and Pau – as they are widely known – are familiar foes having faced each other on three occasions in the last two European seasons.
But for Interim Head Coach Tiatia his squad must focus on themselves as they bid to bounce back from the New Year’s Day derby defeat to Scarlets.
“This week needs to be about us. That’s been the focus,” said Tiatia.
“It was a tough game against Scarlets, it was well documented that we weren’t at the races first half in terms of performance.
“Second half we were a different team, more energised, more motivated, and more cohesive in all parts of the game.
“There were a few tries that we didn’t quite finish and there were opportunities. But we can’t leave it 40 minutes and then start again.
“Starting better is definitely an area of growth,” he added. “If you look at performances of late, against Connacht we weren’t where we wanted to be, but the rest of the games we were competitive.
“The mentality was where it needed to be, but some discipline errors cost us games.
“We are trying to rectify those moments to not give teams opportunities in our 22.
”The leadership group have worked hard around galvanising the squad and getting us excited for this week. They have done a good job.”
Meanwhile, Tiatia revealed scrum half Rhodri Williams would miss the weekend’s game.
“Rhodri picked up an injury, so on medical advice he won’t be available this weekend,” he said.
“We are also waiting a few of the boys to come back at lock, they are going through some contact protocol work, and we should know more in the next 24 hours.
“Elliot (Dee) had a precaution with his calf last week, and with medical advice we pulled him out, but touch wood he has trained well and we will see how he goes.”
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This week needs to be about us. That’s been the focus...
