Young gun Aneurin Owen is aiming to secure Celtic Cup action to showcase his potential – after revealing how much he is enjoying mixing it with the senior stars at Dragons.
Highly-rated centre Owen is training with the first team squad this season, as part of the Senior Academy ranks.
The 18-year-old is back playing after concussion ruled him out of most of the Junior World Cup in Argentina during the summer.
And the Newport-born back has certainly enjoyed a ‘refreshing’ pre-season spell working with new Director of Dragons Rugby, Dean Ryan.
“It’s been a tough pre-season with the new management at Dragons under Dean Ryan, but at the same time it’s been refreshing,” said Owen.
“Everyone’s excited about making the region better and Dean’s been really good with the younger guys.
“He’ll always come up and talk to us, give us stuff to improve on and he’s explained where he sees all of us in the set-up.
“I like what he’s doing and the way he wants to play so with this being my first year with the senior side, I’m enjoying pushing myself hard.
“We’ve got some very experienced centres in guys like Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon and Adam Warren, but to learn off them is brilliant and they’re giving me little pointers,” he added.
“There’s a good group of young centres as well and we’re all pushing each other hard, so my aim at the moment is to play in the Celtic Cup and push for a starting spot.
“I’m involved with Ebbw Vale and might get more games there as well, so I’ll just keep my head down, take any opportunities to play and try and keep the shirt.
Owen’s Junior World Cup exploits in the summer ended almost as soon as they began after he was left concussed in the opening game with hosts Argentina.
However, the level-headed centre remains upbeat as he looks to the future and more Wales Under-20s action.
“What happened in Argentina was disappointing, but you soon put it behind you and I’m ready to go now again,” he said.
“Coming from the U18s, the U20s was always a target and I was so pleased to be involved in the Six Nations and then get a Junior World Cup shot, but my tournament was over before it began.
“I’ll certainly have a bit of unfinished business at next year’s Junior World Cup in Italy – if selected, of course.”
Everyone’s excited about making the region better and Dean’s been really good with the younger guys...
