Coach Paul Turner has named only one change to the 22 that clinched a bonus point win over Glasgow a fortnight ago. Ebbw Vale wing Simon Hunt comes in for Gareth Chapman. The 25-year old winger has impressed The Dragons coaching team and management in the Principality Premiership and gets his chance at regional level. Hunt has played for London Irish, Narbonne and Perpignan as well as the England 7s.
“When The Dragons are not playing on the weekend it allows the coaching team the opportunity to go around the Region and watch Premiership matches,” explained Dragons team manager Jim McCreedy. “From the games we have watched this season Simon has impressed, he has plenty of gas to burn, has tremendous finishing ability and has done well in the Ebbw Vale side. We have already handed this season a number of opportunities to younger players such as Gareth Chapman, Aled Thomas, Richard Fussell and Gethin Robinson and all have taken them well. We hand the same chance to Simon on Saturday and will allow us to see how he performs at Regional level which is a big step up from the Premiership.”
As well as continuing their youth policy, 20 of the squad for Saturday’s game are eligible to play for Wales. Twice already this season The Dragons have fielded an all Welsh 22.
“The whole basis of what The Dragons is about is to bring through local, home grown talent and I think we have more than achieved that this season,” commented Head Coach Paul Turner. “We have played a number of young players who have sometimes been thrown in at the deep end where they have had the opportunity to sink or swim and they have taken their opportunities exceptionally well. We aim to develop players who can go on and play at international level, but we are also realistic enough to realise that you also need an injection of experienced players in your squad. There is a lot to play for still this season, we are fighting for that third place Welsh spot to gain automatic qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup and that will go down right to the wire. Our aim at the start of the season was to ensure we have the very highest level of European rugby at Rodney Parade next season and we will be fighting for that on Saturday. It is tight between us and the Ospreys and makes the final few games very interesting.”
Ian Gough will make his 200th first class appearance at Rodney Parade on Saturday having played 69 times for The Dragons.
“Edinburgh have performed extremely well in the Celtic League to date and currently stand in fifth place in the League table,” commented Dragons lock Ian Gough. “Edinburgh will be a tough game for us and there is a lot riding on the game especially as it is our last home game. We have been inconsistent this season but last time out we put on a good performance against Glasgow and to clinch the bonus point was very satisfying, we will look to take that form into Saturdays game and play even better. Edinburgh are the best of the Scottish sides and it will be a big test for us on the weekend. However, we look forward to it being an open, fast and hard game. ”
There will be a fiesta of fun at Rodney Parade on Saturday with the FA Cup final shown on the big screen in the hall and a bouncy castle and face painting for the youngsters. “It is our last home game of the season and it is the time of year to make it more than a rugby match and an experience for our supporters,” commented Commercial Director Gethin Jenkins. “There will be a hog roast, face painting and a bouncy castle as well as a disco in the hall after the game. Off the field and on, there will be plenty for our supporters to enjoy on Saturday.”
Dragons Starting XV
Gareth Wyatt, Simon Hunt, Hal Luscombe, Ceri Sweeney, Nathan Brew, Craig Warlow, Gareth Baber, Adam Black, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster (c), Michael Owen.
Replacements
Andrew Brown, Gethin Robinson, Andrew Hall, Rhys Oakley, Aled Thomas, Jon Bryant, James Ireland.
