Experienced forward Lewis Evans has called on Dragons to ‘rally together’ as they bid to end the Guinness PRO14 season in positive fashion.
Evans, who has operated at lock and back row this season, admits the players have had to deal with a few home truths in training this week after the manner of defeat in Italy last weekend.
But with Ulster arriving for final game of the season at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) he is keen to finish on a high on home soil and look to gain some momentum.
“When you have lost a game like we did in Italy, you have to look in the mirror and take some responsibility,” said Evans, the leading appearance maker at Dragons.
“Things didn’t go well, we had a catalogue of injuries in blocks that certainly put us off our game. As players we have got to be able to deal with that. We didn’t at the time.
“We’ve got to rally together and get behind each other. We are all in this together and can get some positivity towards the end of the season.
“There have been a few home truths that came from last weekend,” he added. “But it’s all about moving forward now for the last home game of the season at Rodney Parade.
“It’s a big home game so we need to rectify a few things and prove a point.
Evans suffered a calf injury early on against Benetton Rugby, but battled on and now hopes to be in the shake-up this Sunday.
“I’m managing the calf and hopefully it will come through for Sunday. I’m optimistic that I will be involved,” he said.
Evans is well aware of the size of the challenge that play-off chasing Ulster Rugby will bring.
However, he believes Dragons can take confidence from the way they played in defeat at Kingspan Stadium earlier this season.
“We went away to Ulster and went really well,” he said. “Our scrum was dominant and had the upper-hand, our lineout went well.
“The game went away from us late on and if rugby was a 60-minute game we would top of the league. Unfortunately, it’s not.
“Ulster stuck to their guns, they are a good team and they pulled away. We have looked at that and where we can improve.
“We know that Zebre struggled with Ulster’s driving lineout last week so we have looked at that and will try and make adjustments,” he added.
“We have got to go into this game confident, back ourselves and our processes. There are some niggles, some bumps and bruises, but there always are.
“Hopefully we can go out and prove to our home fans that we are capable of getting a performance.”
CLICK HERE to secure your tickets for the Dragons final home game in Newport this season as Ulster come to Rodney Parade for the Guinness PRO14 clash on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
We’ve got to rally together and get behind each other... We are all in this together and can get some positivity towards the end of the season...
