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. The Argus praised his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game saying he was irreplaceable and that they were ‘pretty sure we won’t see his like again’ but ... he’s back!
His retirement has allowed him to break free of the journalistic shackles and devote more time to his love for the Dragons!
ROB Sidoli could be excused for thinking he's been rather put upon as he's had to shoulder the lock position for the Dragons almost single handed, rapidly becoming the last man standing as he has seen one partner after another go down with injuries.
First it was Luke Charteris as the departing Wales lock initially couldn't start the season because he was battling it out in New Zealand during the memorable World Cup campaign.
And when he returned it was to go straight into hospital for an operation on the wrist he damaged Down Under which would sideline him for the next four months. And no sooner was he back and playing just one game against Munster than he was recalled to the Wales 22.
Fellow lock Scott Morgan also succumbed to the injury jinx and finally Adam Jones went down as well, both out for some time, leaving Rob as the only recognised established lock remaining.
As such, he has started 10 of the last 11 games for the Dragons and has had to bear a heavy responsibility in the engine room of the pack where these days it is far more physical and bruising.
Yet though he will be 33 in June he makes light of the demands made upon him and, in fact, says he is hungry for more and even refuses to believe that his international days are behind him - he won the last of his 42 caps nearly three years ago.
"You are as old as you feel and I feel 22 not 32," he insisted. "I like playing every game and if there is only one fit recognised lock out there at the moment that's fine by me because I want to play every game.
"It's unfortunate three locks have been injured because there was great competition for places in the side, but I've still got a huge hunger for the game.
"People might see me as a player from before but I still want to be regarded as a player for the future and one with a big hunger. I'd like to add to my 42 caps for Wales and I see that as a great challenge, but I'm up for that."
It says a lot for Rob's appetite for the game that he is going as strong as ever 13 years after the Merthyr-born player made his debut for Pontypridd. From Sardis Road he joined Celtic Warriors when regional rugby was introduced and when they went under he moved on to Cardiff Blues, making 76 appearances for them.
From there he crossed the Severn Bridge to spend a year at Bristol before returning to Wales and linking up with the Dragons, following in the footsteps of brother Peter who was with them from the outset and is now a personal fitness trainer having retired from rugby.
Rob is in his third season at Rodney Parade, making his 70th appearance on Thursday against former team the Blues. Throw in those 42 caps for Wales including every minute of their 2005 Grand Slam season and you have a player of massive experience.
And he is passing on the benefit of all that by helping to coach the Dragons under-18s squad, 17-year-old centre Jack Dixon the latest player to emerge from that line-up to make himself a player to watch.
"He is definitely a player for the future, but there are others like him, and look at the way Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau have come through," said Sidoli, though he doesn't lose sight of the day job and continues to enjoy the Rodney Parade experience, intending to make the most of his contract which extends for another two seasons after this one.
"There has been an underlying frustration," he admitted. "We've had a difficult training environment with the weather conditions meaning we've had to get on the road a bit, going to places like the Vale, but a lot of the problems are being addressed like the new gym and there will be a new training area on site which will be a huge plus.
"And the atmosphere with the Dragons supporters is unique, there is a special link between us which reminds me of my Ponty days. It a huge lift for the team and we respond to that.
"We're a team who can play very well whether in attack or defence, but we tend to be exposed if we make a couple of mistakes and we need to recover better."
The Blues game represents the Dragons next challenge, Sidoli revealing there will be no time for anything too friendly with some of his former teammates on the pitch at least.
"Everybody wants to beat them and I'd love to be part of the team that does that," he said. "I'm confident we can and climb the table which would be a fair reflection of all the effort we've put in.
"We've got to try to get back into the Heineken Cup and when we do that have the confidence and the belief that we can produce the goods and get into the quarter-finals."
