The Newport Gwent Dragons have two games under their belts, one win and one loss. This is the men of Gwents first welsh derby of the 2013/14 season.
When asked about how he was feeling about facing Scarlets, Director of Rugby Lyn Jones said, “Everyone in Wales likes to look at the Dragons as the fourth best team and some players unfortunately in our squad accept it, but that’s the biggest challenge for me as I am coming in is to change the attitude and the mindset, not just for the players but the whole club that we have to become the best in Wales and not accept mediocrity or defeat.
“This has to change in the club and we saw that against Ulster, where we were put under pressure but then created the resistance and tough mentality to hold them out and take the opportunities when they arose.”
Ashley Smith returns to the squad as he has come back from injury along with Tom Prydie but Pat Leach has suffered an injury to his elbow against Edinburgh.
Injury Update from Head Physiotherapist, Ben Searle “Lewis Robling is progressing really well, I am planning for his return to training to be next week and then full training in two weeks. Steffan Jones and Wayne Evans have both started non contact training, Steffan ahead of schedule; they should both be back training fully next week. Darren Waters is still a way off as he is post surgery but he is progressing well.
“The newer injury that we picked up was Pat Leach with an elbow injury, which was against Edinburgh so we are going to see how it settles over the next week or so.”
Newport Gwent Dragons Squad
Backs
Jonathan Evans, Richie Rees, Jason Tovey, Kris Burton, Jack Dixon, Ashley Smith, Adam Hughes, Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Will Harries, Matthew Pewtner, Dan Evans.
Forwards
Owen Evans, Phil Price, Aaron Coundley, Nathan Williams, T.Rhys Thomas, Hugh Gustafson, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Nathan Buck, Francisco Chaparro, Matthew Screech, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Ian Nimmo, Andrew Coombs, Jevon Groves, Netani Talei, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Toby Faletau, Ieuan Jones.
Players not selected through injury
Darren Waters (Knee), Lewis Robling (Ankle), Steffan Jones (Elbow), Wayne Evans (Back), Pat Leach (Elbow).
When asked about how he was feeling about facing Scarlets, Director of Rugby Lyn Jones said, “Everyone in Wales likes to look at the Dragons as the fourth best team and some players unfortunately in our squad accept it, but that’s the biggest challenge for me as I am coming in is to change the attitude and the mindset, not just for the players but the whole club that we have to become the best in Wales and not accept mediocrity or defeat.
“This has to change in the club and we saw that against Ulster, where we were put under pressure but then created the resistance and tough mentality to hold them out and take the opportunities when they arose.”
Ashley Smith returns to the squad as he has come back from injury along with Tom Prydie but Pat Leach has suffered an injury to his elbow against Edinburgh.
Injury Update from Head Physiotherapist, Ben Searle “Lewis Robling is progressing really well, I am planning for his return to training to be next week and then full training in two weeks. Steffan Jones and Wayne Evans have both started non contact training, Steffan ahead of schedule; they should both be back training fully next week. Darren Waters is still a way off as he is post surgery but he is progressing well.
“The newer injury that we picked up was Pat Leach with an elbow injury, which was against Edinburgh so we are going to see how it settles over the next week or so.”
Newport Gwent Dragons Squad
Backs
Jonathan Evans, Richie Rees, Jason Tovey, Kris Burton, Jack Dixon, Ashley Smith, Adam Hughes, Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Will Harries, Matthew Pewtner, Dan Evans.
Forwards
Owen Evans, Phil Price, Aaron Coundley, Nathan Williams, T.Rhys Thomas, Hugh Gustafson, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Nathan Buck, Francisco Chaparro, Matthew Screech, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Ian Nimmo, Andrew Coombs, Jevon Groves, Netani Talei, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Toby Faletau, Ieuan Jones.
Players not selected through injury
Darren Waters (Knee), Lewis Robling (Ankle), Steffan Jones (Elbow), Wayne Evans (Back), Pat Leach (Elbow).
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