Newport Gwent Dragons are preparing for what is arguably their most important game in their short existence as they aim to reach the quarterfinals of the European Challenge Cup.
Following a 17-11 win over Bristol, The Dragons now have to secure a bonus point win over Bayonne on Friday night to top Pool One, although a home draw is not a foregone conclusion.
A monumental effort from The Dragons saw them clinch a win over the Guinness Premiership leaders last Friday and in particular a Herculean effort from the forwards. Putting your body on the line was the theme of the evening and for one Dragons forward, Kieran Crawford that was quite literally. Kieran suffered a dislocated shoulder during the game and despite that threw into two lineouts with the injury before medial ligament damage forced him to leave the field. However, in driving rain and wind his effort typified The Dragons performance something echoed by Head Coach Paul Turner, "It took a huge effort from the team to secure a win over the Guinness Premiership league leaders Bristol. The squad showed immense desire, they never gave up and showed pride in playing for The Dragons. The crowd were magnificent and played a huge part in us clinching the win.
"We fully deserved our victory over Bristol and now we travel to Bayonne where we have to secure five points if we are to fulfil our aim of a quarterfinal place. Bayonne are far from a push over, we may have put fifty points on them in the home fixture, however, it will be a big ask over there. They have recently beaten Stade Francais and will be difficult to break down at home. However, The Dragons have a quarterfinal place within their grasp and I know the team will be going all out to cement that spot."
Kieran Crawford is now ruled out, however, The Dragons are hoping to be able to call on Ben Daly who is undergoing intensive treatment on a calf injury and will continue to do so up until match day. Academy hooker Richard Wilkes came on as a second half replacement and should Daly not be fit then Wilkes will start, however, that will leave The Dragons having to juggle the bench. All other hookers registered in The Dragons European squad are injured, although Gethin Robinson a prop can play in that position but he faces a disciplinary hearing tonight (Tuesday) following a red card issued in December and if he is suspended then the region will have to look elsewhere for a replacement.
The Dragons have announced a squad of 26 for the game and have included Luke Charteris and Gareth Cooper as they both bid to be fit for the all-important game.
What was pleasing for the region was that three academy players were involved in the win over Bristol and all emerged with their reputations enhanced following that game, none more so than young centre Ashley Smith who said, "I have been delighted to be a part of The Dragons squad and involved in the starting XV. We have begun to really perform recently and shown others that we are a force to be reckoned with, however, that will count for nothing unless we back it up with a win on Friday night to secure the quarterfinal place in the Challenge Cup. It will be another test for the squad in an environment we are not used to playing in and we will have to call on our recent performances and experience going into that game. We continue to grow as a unit on field and on a personal note, it will be another challenge for me and I am learning all the time. Hopefully a win in France will be another experience I can add to the list."
SQUAD
Kevin Morgan, Aled Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Gareth Chapman, Paul Emerick, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Ceri Sweeney, Mike Hercus, Alex Walker, Gareth Cooper, James Ireland, Adam Black, Dai Maddocks, Richard Wilkes, Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, A N Other, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Peter Sidoli, Colin Charvis, Andrew Hall, Michael Owen, Nic Fitisemanu, Jamie Ringer.
