Newport Gwent Dragons are getting fired up for their EDF Energy Cup and Heineken Cup campaigns and are aiming to start with a win against London Wasps on Saturday, kick off 5.30pm.
The Dragons have made two changes to the side that won at Murrayfield in the Magners League last time out with Martyn Thomas replacing the injured Kevin Morgan at fullback. Among the forwards Dan Lydiate comes in at blindside flanker with skipper Colin Charvis moving to No.8 and Michael Owen replacing Andrew Hall in the second row.
Looking ahead to their EDF Energy Cup campaign Richard Parks said, “As a squad we have been pleased with our recent performances in the Magners League which has prepared us for the intensity of the cup competitions we have coming up. We are expecting a physical onslaught from Wasps on Saturday and the game will be a real battle up front. They may not have started their season well but they have that knack of doing well in Cup competitions and we will have to play to our strengths if we are to start with a win. On a personal note I am enjoying my time at The Dragons and have settled in well. We are aiming to do well in the up and coming cup competitions and are getting fired up for them.”
The Dragons currently lie in fourth spot in the Magners League having won their last two matches against Ulster and Edinburgh. The Dragons have won all three previous EDF Energy Cup matches they have played at Rodney Parade, against Leicester, Worcester and Northampton.
Among the replacements Paul Emerick is named having served his five week ban from the Rugby World Cup while Andy Williams has recovered from his knee injury to take his place on the bench.
Head Coach Paul Turner said, “Wasps have a great history long before rugby came of age but during the professional era have been right up amongst the best. They have always been in and around the top of the Zurich and Guinness Premiership and they won the Shield in 2002 and then Heineken Cup success followed the next season and they are now rightly current Heineken Cup holders. Their success has not come overnight but they have worked at it.
“I am pleased with the start we have made to our Magners League campaign however, we have got to start to get more ruthless and need to step it up as we go into the EDF Energy and Heineken Cup campaigns.”
Dragons Team
Martyn Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Richard Mustoe, Ceri Sweeney, Wayne Evans, Adam Black, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris, Michael Owen, Dan Lydiate, Richard Parks, Colin Charvis (c).
Replacements
Ben Daly, Hugh Gustafson, Andrew Hall, Jamie Ringer, Paul Emerick, Aled Thomas, Andrew Williams.
Players from The Dragons squad will be visiting Ebbw Vale, Caldicot and Bettws Comprehensive schools this afternoon helping the WRU development officers to deliver rugby master classes to local school children.
Local primary feeder schools have been invited to the comprehensive schools to partake in a rugby session and will be put through their paces by the development officers and also members of the Dragons squad.
Dragons Rugby Manager Jim McCreedy commented, “Days like these help to create a greater interest in rugby and in The Dragons and is fantastic for the development of the game in the region.”
