ROBIN DAVEY is a regular at Rodney Parade, acting as chief rugby writer for the South Wales Argus over the last 42 years before retiring in December.
His retirement has allowed him to break free of the journalistic shackles and devote more time to his love for the Dragons! In this series of interviews, Robin will be talking to the players about life, love and everything…
FROM turning out for Swindon to playing against the European champions, from paying to play to being paid to play -- that is the astonishing journey Dragons prop Dan Way has been on over the past two years.
Just two years ago a big fixture for 24-year-old Way was a local derby against Wootton Basset about seven divisions below the Welsh Premiership he was destined for.
He was playing for his home town team Swindon after starting with them at under nine level, he was working as a roofer and he was paying his subs to play the game.
Then a chance trip over the Severn Bridge to Pontypool with local teammate Sam Taylor who was playing for the Gwent side led to a rapid rise through the ranks from Pooler, to Blackwood, to Newport and then last season the big step up to the Dragons.
He gave up work this summer, became a full time pro and after making his first appearance last season against Heineken Cup winners Leinster this month he found himself up against French aces Perpignan - a far cry from those days not so long ago at Swindon.
"If you'd have told me then I would be playing against teams like Leinster and Perpignan I'd have laughed. It's just unbelievable, a dream. I didn't expect that to happen, things like that just don't happen," said a still incredulous Way.
"At first it was wierd, surreal, it all happened so fast. I was working as a roofer then a gym instructor in Swindon and travelling until this season. Then I went full time this year and have been learning a lot of processes I'd never known."
Initially Way made an impression in the Welsh Premier Division. "I was comfortable with the physicality as I love to hit rucks," he said. "I enjoyed it with Newport, then there was the LV Cup game for the Dragons against Gloucester and at the start of the second half there was a scrum on our own line when we held them out.
"We cleared our lines which was a good start for me though it was a baptism of fire. I had a few league games after that, then my first league game was against Leinster when I came on for the last ten minutes.
"There are even more processes now. You can't be in the wrong place, that is really important, or the opposition will be under the sticks. You've got to make sure you do what you are told to do!"
Way has run into an injury problem, though, suffering a damaged shoulder, and lost his place to another promising young prop Nathan Buck. But now he's back, almost 100% again and out to reclaim the position.
"I was out for a month after injuring my A/C joint and my neck against Connacht. But I'm nearly there again, I'm back on the weights and I'm feeling a lot sharper," he said.
"Nathan and I are good mates, he's been playing well, I've got to make sure I scrummage well and always do the right things. I've got to try to get the spot back and play well, we're doing a lot of work with Danny Wilson (Dragons forwards coach) and video analysis work with myself.
"I found playing against Perpignan and a prop like Perry Freshwater with good technique a real experience. If you don't do it right against someone like that you're in trouble.
"It's also good playing in the Welsh derbies especially at Rodney Parade where the crowd is so loud, you really do hear them, it's a great atmosphere.
"From paying your subs to play to being paid to play. From Wootton Basset to Perpignan, it's crazy."
But there has been nothing wrong with the way Dan has climbed the rugby ladder - in fact he's still pinching himself.
