The BKT United Rugby Championship Origin Round returns this weekend celebrating the communities which help launch the careers of hundreds of rugby players and coaches throughout the league and beyond.
Last week, Dragons RFC and our amazing Dragons Community team held several events to celebrate our Gwent clubs and inspire the next generation of Dragons players.
On our Community Roadshow, Dragons held coaching days at Blaenavon RFC and Nantyglo RFC which were attended by the entire first team squad, who joined in for coaching tips, autographs and games.
Children in the local area received expert coaching from our community team and players with nearly 150 children enjoying and engaging throughout the sessions.
Wednesday saw more than 100 children attended our skills camp session at Rodney Parade, with Rio Dyer and Aneurin Owen joining in with drills and having a Q&A session.
Several clubs were represented on Wednesday; Abercarn, Bargoed, Caerleon, Caerphilly, Knights, Newport High School Old Boys, Newport Saracens, Oakdale, Risca, Talywain and Whitehead RFC.
On Thursday, New Tredegar Under-14s boys watched training and had expert coaching from players and staff at the Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach as they saw our first team prepare for our Origin Round clash against Benetton on Saturday (February 28).
For that game, 15 clubs will be in attendance from all over Gwent, giving the teams a guard of honour prematch, doing a lap of the ground at halftime and taking part in rugby and tag festivals.
Our senior squad members (origin club*)
*Gwent clubs in bold
Harri Ackerman (Newbridge), Huw Anderson (Caerphilly), Niall Armstrong (University of Exeter, Banbridge), Harry Beddall (St Peters), James Benjamin (Whitehead), Oli Burrows (Neath Athletic), Ben Carter (Caldicot), Brodie Coghlan (Newport High School Old Boys), Chris Coleman (Garndiffaith), Owen Conquer (Llantwit Fardre), Seb Davies (Pentyrch), Tinus De Beer (Blue Bulls), Elliot Dee (Newbridge RFC), Cebo Dlamini (Blue Bulls), Levi Douglas (Old Elthamians), Rio Dyer (Risca, Pill, NHSOB), Cai Evans (Cowbridge), Harri Ford (Senghenydd), Logan Franklin (Newbridge), Che Hope (Blackwood), Robert Hunt (Drostdy), Fine Inisi (Takapuna), Owain James (Ynysybwl), Rhodri Jones (Machynlleth), Wyn Jones (Llandovery), Harri Keddie (Caerleon), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (St Peters), Barny Langton-Cryer (Cowbridge), Dillon Lewis (Beddau), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Ferndale), Morgan Lloyd (Blackwood), Jac Lloyd (Cardiff Harlequins), Mackenzie Martin (Glamorgan Wanderers), Rodrigo Martinez (Los Tordos), Evan Minto (Pontypool United), George Morris (Croesyceiliog), Angus O’Brien (Caerleon), Aneurin Owen (NHSOB), Fetuli Paea (Waitohi Picton), Harry Rees-Weldon (Ebbw Vale), David Richards (Newport, Monmouth), George Roberts (Wrexham), Ewan Rosser (Pontypool Utd.), Jared Rosser (Pontypool Utd.), Sam Scarfe (Penallta), Matthew Screech (Porth Harlequins), Nick Thomas (St Peters), Aaron Wainwright (Whitehead), Joe Westwood (Blackwood), Rhodri Williams (Ammanford), Oli Woodman (Chepstow), Ryan Woodman (Caldicot), Luke Yendle (Caerphilly), Thomas Young (Aberdare)
