Newport Gwent Dragons are on the road tonight going for their second win away from home when they take on Border Reivers kick off 7.30pm.
At yesterday's press conference Head Coach Paul Turner stressed how important the game was for his side as they aim to put two narrow home defeats behind them commenting, "We are aiming to put the record straight from last year. We have suffered two narrow defeats recently but a lot of good has come from it and you have to go through that type of agony sometimes to move on. They were not easy to stomach but both on and off field we are moving on. We need to start putting a tick after games and we need a good performance up there (Borders) on Friday night. Borders have good players in their team and have a good lineout and scrum while behind they look solid. They are a decent side and we need to play well to beat them."
He also talked about how the two home performances that while resulting in defeats have given the side and those watching evidence that The Dragons are starting to come together and gel as a team. He also talked about the selection for tonight's game saying, "We did enough in our two home games to convince a lot of people that we have strengthened our squad and we are capable of playing good rugby. We have good players here and while it is a blow with the Brew brothers out for the game against the Borders we have called in players who will do a good job. We have three fly halves who all have different attributes but we felt Ceri controlled the game well against the Scarlets, his kicking was good and defensively he tightened up that area. In the back row again we are blessed with strength in depth and we have Michael Owen back in training and a number of youngsters who are chomping at the bit. Joe Bearman showed everyone why we signed him and it was not fair to put him onto the bench. We will see how the balance of the back row goes, Colin Charvis is a revelation and Jamie Ringer was outstanding against the Scarlets. We do have the EDF Energy Cup games coming up and that will give us further opportunity to give others their share of games."
Also at yesterday's press conference was skipper Kevin Morgan who makes his long awaited comeback tonight after a rare foot injury. Talking about his injury he said, "I have been away nine months which is a long time. I have tried to stay positive throughout and upbeat but there was a chance I might not play again. The operation went well but my surgeon did warn me that I may never play again, however, he did say if I put in the right rehab then I would get back playing. It has been frustrating watching from the sidelines and seeing half time leads slip and we need to eradicate this. We haven't deserved those losses but the scoreboard doesn't lie and the opposition have punished us. I think everyone can see we are playing better than last season and more of an expansive game. We have improved from last year but we need to win."
Kevin also talked about how he and his team mates have been boosted by the fantastic home support the team had both at the Ulster and Scarlets game.
"Training has gone well this week and it is tough after two defeats but the spirit is good and little mistakes have cost us dear but we are progressing well and if we improve we will be in a good position. The support has been great for us and makes us want to get that win even more. There is nothing better than winning at Rodney Parade and the crowd cheering you in having won. I think supporters can see we are all trying really hard to be a winning side and I think they have seen that and appreciated it. There was a fantastic atmosphere for the Scarlets game and the 5,000 present certainly made their voices heard which is testament to those who made the effort to travel down. It is the first time there was a united Dragons call and the boys commented on it and it encourages us as a team. The region is coming together and it is propelling us to go forward and to go out and get victories."
