Dragons XV skipper Ben Roach has called on his team-mates to front up and put a marker down on home soil when rugby return to Rodney Parade on Friday night (kick-off 7pm).
Luke Narraway’s team face Munster A in the Celtic Cup looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat away at Connacht Eagles in Round One in Galway.
Roach, who led the team at The Sportsground, admits his excitement at the prospect at running out in Newport after his return to the region during the cup competition from Wales Sevens duty.
And he believes Dragons XV have a duty to produce as the first time to play at the famous stadium this season.
“It’s the first home game for any Dragons side this season so with that comes a responsibility to perform,” he said.
“It’s going to be a special occasion, with the kit launch in the afternoon too, but we know the job we have come kick-off.
“Munster are a big and physical team who will come after us. We’ve got to front up.
“It’s the first home game back at Rodney Parade, hopefully we will get a good crowd in to support us, so we want to put a big shift in, put that marker down and do the region proud on day one on home soil.
“It was my first game back for Dragons (in Connacht) and I enjoyed being back out there after my time with Wales Sevens for a few years,” he added.
“I’m coming back into the 15s game and I am still learning. It was fast and furious but I enjoyed leading the team and I felt the boys did well.
“It was good to get the dragon back on my shirt. I do enjoy the environment here and I know all the boys as well. To get the jersey back on was a buzz.”
Dragons outscored Connacht three tries to two in Galway as they slipped to a narrow 24-19 loss.
And Roach believes the lessons of that defeat on Irish soil will be learnt for the Round Two clash.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted in Galway, but there were lots of positives. We took a lot out of the game,” he said.
“We looked to bring a fast attacking game and I thought we adapted to that approach really well.
“We’ll go into the game on Friday knowing what we need to work on. We came out of the Connacht game knowing immediately what we needed to address and I’m sure we can rectify that.
“If we can play that fast game again we can build on the first game.
“The back line we have got is very dangerous so the key is getting them the ball,” he added.
“We have some high skilled and quick lads, that was obvious from the tries we scored.
“We are dangerous and with that attacking shape hopefully we can cause teams problems and score more tries.
“I was pleased with how the pack went together as a unit too. You couldn’t fault the effort, we worked hard and had a good shape to us.
“It’s a lot of learning at the moment, this is a new group, but we have picked it up.
“The lineout went well, but we know as a group there are elements to work on. We’ve got to keep building.”
Dragons XV tackle Munster A at Rodney Parade this Friday evening. Tickets cost £5 for Adults, with FREE ENTRY for Under-16s and Season Members. Click HERE to buy in advance. We look forward to seeing you at Rodney Parade.
It was good to get the dragon back on my shirt. I do enjoy the environment here and I know all the boys as well...
