Ahead of their first match against Connacht Eagles on Saturday 14th November, James Chapron has been busy preparing the new look squad for the match.
Joining him on the coaching team are the following members of staff:
Greg Woods – CrossKeys Head Coach
Richie Rees – Academy Backs Coach
Nick Wakely - Assistant Coach from Ebbw Vale RFC
The rest of the management staff include Dragons physiotherapist Hannah Jones, who is joined by Academy staff Kat Lenon (Physiotherapist), Rhodri Williams (Conditioner), Owen Griffiths (Analyst) and Alex Mayne who will deal with logistics from Cross Keys.
Talking about the coming tournament, Chapron commented: “The British & Irish Cup is not only a great development opportunity for players to test themselves at a higher level but also for coaches.
“For myself and the Academy team, it is a great opportunity to work with senior players and link up with top players from the Gwent Premiership clubs. We have brought Greg Woods on board who has a great deal of experience in this competition having coached Cross Keys to the final in 2011. Nick Wakley also joins us from Ebbw Vale having had great success with the Dragons 7s team in the summer. Whilst also having excellent support from the Premiership clubs with player release and coaching support.
“As a coaching team we are really excited by the challenges that lie ahead.”
The Dragons Premiership select team will take on Connacht Eagles at the Sportsground in Round 1 of the British and Irish Cup, this Saturday (KO 14:30). They then take on Jersey at Pandy Park on the 22nd November KO 15:00. This match will be shown live on S4C. The remaining fixtures include a trip to Castle Park to take on Doncaster Knights and a returning fixture against them at the home of Bedwas RFC. Round 5 will take place at Jersey RFC on 16th January 2016 and the final round of the pool stages takes place in Ebbw Vale on 23rd January, KO 15:00.
To see a full fixture list please click HERE.
