Ashley Smith is ready to take on the captain’s role for tonight’s friendly match against Worcester Warriors at the Sixways Stadium (7.30pm).
Head Coach Paul Turner has shown confidence in the young inside centre, naming him as captain for the second time after leading the Men of Gwent in a narrow loss to Gloucester in the EDF Energy Cup earlier in the season. Smith will captain a strong team against the Warriors as they attempt to increase performance levels ahead of a must win rematch with Connacht at Rodney Parade.
“It’s a good way to try new things out whilst gaining match practice. This is ideal preparation for the Connacht game where those new things might come into play,” revealed Smith.
Ashley won’t shirk the captain’s responsibilities having led Wales under 20’s in the past. He has been identified as a potential skipper of the Dragons in future years and doesn’t neglect his ambitions, commenting “Obviously it’s every player’s dream, being a local lad from the area to captain the Dragons permanently would be a great achievement. It’s a definite goal for me in the future.
“Captaincy is something I’ve grown into, I suppose it’s a transition that I have found easy to step into. Leadership happens to be one of my capabilities and is a skill that I bring to the table. It’s not necessarily that I’ve always wanted to take charge it’s just something that has fallen into place. I captained my local club and school for many years so I suppose I just stepped into it and it’s great that it has lead to captaincy of the region.”
The whole squad has been anxious to find a fixture in between the Connacht matches to eradicate the problems they encountered in Galway. Smith added: “There is nothing worse than not playing for a month. Obviously we’ve trained but there is no substitute for game time which is vital for us.”
If they manage to win this fixture the Dragons hope it will provide the confidence needed to gain automatic qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup.
“Our goal is obviously qualification, we are only one point behind the Blues and not far off the Scarlets. There are five games to go and if we can win the majority of those I think we can avoid being the bottom placed Welsh team - maybe even second if we push.”
The Dragons are fortunate to welcome a few players back from injury with Duane Goodfield making the bench and perhaps gaining his first appearance for the region, since signing from Cardiff Blues last summer. The exuberant Alex Walker has returned from his loan spell at London Welsh to add to the strength in the replacements. Meanwhile Jamie Corsi has shaken off a dead leg to be named in the squad. Corsi is not unfamiliar to playing under the leadership of Smith having done so from an early age at Newport High School Old Boys, and in more recent times in the under 20’s Six Nations in 2007. The ex-Bassaleg prop forward commented: “I rate Ashley very highly as a leader he possesses a good understanding of the game and can read any situation.”
This view is shared by many of Smith’s teammates and allows him to feel confident in his task, “To have your fellow professionals say that about you obviously gives you that extra confidence,” said the new skipper. “Realising they’re behind you and are going to listen on the pitch is a massive help.”
Mike Ruddock, now director of rugby at Worcester Warriors, has selected former Dragon Hal Luscombe at outside centre to add some experience to a youthful, but nonetheless dangerous Warriors outfit. The South African born Welsh international made 54 appearances for the Newport based club in his three-year spell as a Dragon. Many of the Worcester team have represented their countries at age grade level and do not expect to be overturned at home.
Paul Turner’s players won’t underestimate the opposition, but will certainly be intending to take a victory out of the Midlands as they build confidence ahead of a pivotal rematch with Connacht.
Dragons Team: Jason Tovey, Richard Fussell, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, Ashley Smith (Capt), Aled Brew, James Arlidge, Wayne Evans, Huw Gustafason, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Sean Tomes, Hoani Macdonald, Grant Webb, Joe Bearman.
Replacements: Duane Goodfield, Nigel Hall, Jamie Corsi, Andrew Hall, Dan Lydiate, Jamie Ringer, Lewis Evans, Alex Walker, Shaun Connor, Rory Sidey, Gareth Wyatt, Martyn Thomas, Kevin Morgan.
Worcester Warriors Team: Loki Crichton, Ollie Grove, Hal Luscombe, Greg King, Charlie Fellows, Joe Carlisle, Jonny Arr, Jack Gilding, Chris Fortey (c), Shaun Ruwers, David Lyons, Rob Wood, David Askew, Jake Abbott, James Collins.
Replacements: Ross Davies, Jordan Page, Hugo Boyland, Ross Noonan, James Freeman, Ben Jones, George Crook, Tom Wheatcroft, Earl Collins.
Written by Gareth Alred
Head Coach Paul Turner has shown confidence in the young inside centre, naming him as captain for the second time after leading the Men of Gwent in a narrow loss to Gloucester in the EDF Energy Cup earlier in the season. Smith will captain a strong team against the Warriors as they attempt to increase performance levels ahead of a must win rematch with Connacht at Rodney Parade.
“It’s a good way to try new things out whilst gaining match practice. This is ideal preparation for the Connacht game where those new things might come into play,” revealed Smith.
Ashley won’t shirk the captain’s responsibilities having led Wales under 20’s in the past. He has been identified as a potential skipper of the Dragons in future years and doesn’t neglect his ambitions, commenting “Obviously it’s every player’s dream, being a local lad from the area to captain the Dragons permanently would be a great achievement. It’s a definite goal for me in the future.
“Captaincy is something I’ve grown into, I suppose it’s a transition that I have found easy to step into. Leadership happens to be one of my capabilities and is a skill that I bring to the table. It’s not necessarily that I’ve always wanted to take charge it’s just something that has fallen into place. I captained my local club and school for many years so I suppose I just stepped into it and it’s great that it has lead to captaincy of the region.”
The whole squad has been anxious to find a fixture in between the Connacht matches to eradicate the problems they encountered in Galway. Smith added: “There is nothing worse than not playing for a month. Obviously we’ve trained but there is no substitute for game time which is vital for us.”
If they manage to win this fixture the Dragons hope it will provide the confidence needed to gain automatic qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup.
“Our goal is obviously qualification, we are only one point behind the Blues and not far off the Scarlets. There are five games to go and if we can win the majority of those I think we can avoid being the bottom placed Welsh team - maybe even second if we push.”
The Dragons are fortunate to welcome a few players back from injury with Duane Goodfield making the bench and perhaps gaining his first appearance for the region, since signing from Cardiff Blues last summer. The exuberant Alex Walker has returned from his loan spell at London Welsh to add to the strength in the replacements. Meanwhile Jamie Corsi has shaken off a dead leg to be named in the squad. Corsi is not unfamiliar to playing under the leadership of Smith having done so from an early age at Newport High School Old Boys, and in more recent times in the under 20’s Six Nations in 2007. The ex-Bassaleg prop forward commented: “I rate Ashley very highly as a leader he possesses a good understanding of the game and can read any situation.”
This view is shared by many of Smith’s teammates and allows him to feel confident in his task, “To have your fellow professionals say that about you obviously gives you that extra confidence,” said the new skipper. “Realising they’re behind you and are going to listen on the pitch is a massive help.”
Mike Ruddock, now director of rugby at Worcester Warriors, has selected former Dragon Hal Luscombe at outside centre to add some experience to a youthful, but nonetheless dangerous Warriors outfit. The South African born Welsh international made 54 appearances for the Newport based club in his three-year spell as a Dragon. Many of the Worcester team have represented their countries at age grade level and do not expect to be overturned at home.
Paul Turner’s players won’t underestimate the opposition, but will certainly be intending to take a victory out of the Midlands as they build confidence ahead of a pivotal rematch with Connacht.
Dragons Team: Jason Tovey, Richard Fussell, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, Ashley Smith (Capt), Aled Brew, James Arlidge, Wayne Evans, Huw Gustafason, Steve Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Sean Tomes, Hoani Macdonald, Grant Webb, Joe Bearman.
Replacements: Duane Goodfield, Nigel Hall, Jamie Corsi, Andrew Hall, Dan Lydiate, Jamie Ringer, Lewis Evans, Alex Walker, Shaun Connor, Rory Sidey, Gareth Wyatt, Martyn Thomas, Kevin Morgan.
Worcester Warriors Team: Loki Crichton, Ollie Grove, Hal Luscombe, Greg King, Charlie Fellows, Joe Carlisle, Jonny Arr, Jack Gilding, Chris Fortey (c), Shaun Ruwers, David Lyons, Rob Wood, David Askew, Jake Abbott, James Collins.
Replacements: Ross Davies, Jordan Page, Hugo Boyland, Ross Noonan, James Freeman, Ben Jones, George Crook, Tom Wheatcroft, Earl Collins.
Written by Gareth Alred
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