Newport-Gwent Dragons received a massive boost today with the news that five players have returned from injury in time for the Heineken Cup trip to Treviso on Saturday 8 December (kick-off 14.30).
Full-back Kevin Morgan and back row Richard Parks have recovered from knee injuries to put themselves in contention for selection against the Italians. Martyn Thomas full back and centre Ashley Smith have recovered from groin injuries and lock Luke Charteris has shaken off a shoulder injury picked up playing against the Springboks in the Prince William Cup a fortnight ago.
“We will be able to select from a position of strength tomorrow with a number of key players back in contention for us,” said Head Coach Paul Turner.
“The intensity of competition in Europe is always strong and gone are the days when Italian teams were thought of as the minnows of the competition.
“We have a tough trip ahead of us and we will need to be at our very best if we are to prove our worth in this competition and achieve a performance in Treviso that will stand us in good stead for the return fixture at Rodney Parade next week.”
This is the back-to-back section of the Heineken Cup competition with the return fixture against Treviso taking place next Saturday 15 December (kick-off 14.30) at Rodney Parade.
The squad is as follows:
Kevin Morgan, Richard Fussell, Martyn Thomas, Paul Emerick, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Richard Mustoe, Ceri Sweeney, Aled Thomas, Wayne Evans, Andy Williams, Adam Black, Huw Gustafson, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Robinson, Ben Daly, Steve Jones, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Peter Sidoli, Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer, Joe Bearman, Michael Owen, Richard Parks
