Newport Gwent Dragons v Bucuresti
Friday 8th December, 7.30pm
Rodney Parade
Introduction
All the talk in the media has been about putting a cricket score on the Romanian side who were beaten 106-3 by Gloucester last season. However, The Dragons have played down this instead concentrating on securing a win and then getting the bonus point. Supporters can expect a big physical battle and then The Dragons will cut loose.
Head-to-Head
For The Dragons 50th competitive home game they welcome a new side to Rodney Parade in the form of Bucuresti.
Walking Wounded
The Dragons are without long term injures Rhys Thomas who is out with a chest injury and Steve Jones who is recovering from his shoulder injury. Joe Bearman is also sidelined with a hip injury the extent of the injury will be known next week. Paul Emerick has not recovered from his shoulder injury while Craig Warlow will be out until February with a broken bone in his foot.
Form
The Dragons go into Friday night's game on the back of a loss to Worcester in the EDF Energy Cup competition. However, Head Coach Paul Turner was pleased with his sides performance particularly the way they matched one of the Guinness Premiership sides physically. The Dragons hurt them in the tackle area and they will look to repeat this against the Romanians.
Bucuresti defeated Bayonne last time out in the Challenge Cup and will draw confidence from this result going into the game where they have nothing to lose.
Who's Hot
Kevin Morgan will look to bring his impressive form on the international stage back to the region while Ashley Smith has impressed at inside centre. He has great vision, a good pass and a strong boot, shows tremendous maturity for a 20-year old. Ian Gough had a big autumn with Wales and The Dragons need him to show the same presence in the set piece and in the loose over the Christmas period. Adam Black is one of the unsung hero's in The Dragons side, may not grab the headlines but does a vital job and contributes massively to the side.
We Think
The Dragons know they have to win to fulfil their objective of reaching the quarterfinals of the competition. The Romanian side will test them in the set piece, however, with an improvement in the physicality of The Dragons side, particularly in the tackle area and coupled with their ability to create chances this should see them record a comfortable win.
Dragons Team
Kevin Morgan (c), Gareth Wyatt, Nathan Brew, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper, Adam Black, Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Andrew Hall, Jamie Ringer, Colin Charvis
Replacements
Kieran Crawford, Jamie Corsi, Michael Owen, Nic Fitisemanu, Alex Walker, Mike Hercus, Richard Fussell.
Bucuresti Team
Adrian Barbuliceanu, Catalin Nicolae, Csaba Gal, Dan Vlad, Stefan Cinutu, Ionut Dimofte, Valentin Calafeteanu (c), Nicolae Nere, Marcel Mihalache, Paulica Ion, Nicolae Rus, Cornel Tatu, Costica Mersoiu, Alexandru Tudori, Cosmin Ratiu
Replacements
Flavius Dobre, Mihai Adascalitei, Stelian Burcea, Madalin Baraulea, Alexandru Lupu, Iulian Andrei, Mugurel Sarbu
