Main Club
Sponsor
JOIN THE FLIGHT

Keddie - Back row must maintain standards

Fit-again Harri Keddie has vowed Dragons will keep the back row standards high during the international window – admitting there is no room for passengers in the Guinness PRO14.

Ben Mottram | 31/10/2018

Highly-rated Keddie made a successful return last week at Number Eight at Ulster, after recovering from a bicep injury suffered in pre-season. 

The all-action 22-year-old acknowledges that Dragons are blessed with back row options, even with Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty on duty with Wales and Ollie Griffiths ruled out with injury.

And Keddie is determined to keep the pack firing as they make the trip to Galway this weekend to face Connacht Rugby.

“It’s certainly been good to get back – it was a long pre-season with the injury,” said Keddie. “Hopefully I will get a run of games now over the next few weeks and get some match fitness back in. 

“You just want to play, that is the main goal when you train, and the reward at the end of the week is being able to play. It can be an incredibly frustrating time.

“I spent a good month with Stirlo (Ben Sterling) and the physio department getting back into it to make sure I was as ready as possible for the Ulster game. It was a tough month, but it put me in good stead.

“We’ve got a pretty strong back row unit, even with the boys away with Wales, we are still going well,” he added. “It is a tough fight for places and the more we all stay fit the better it will be.

“The boys set the standard at the start of the season and it is up to us to now maintain that while they are away. To get that winning team going you need everyone pushing. 

“You can’t have any passengers in the back row and it’s important that everyone does their bit in defence and attack.”

Keddie will hope to line-up for Dragons as they make a return to Ireland this weekend eager to build on an encouraging show against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium.

However, he is well aware of the threats that Connacht will pose and the defensive resilience Bernard Jackman’s men will need at the Galway Sportsground.

He said: “We know they are dangerous and they long phases of play and not kicking a lot. We know we are going to be in for long tough periods of defence which is about digging in to get the result. 

“It’s an old school ground, a bit like Rodney Parade on some aspects, and the weather can be unpredictable. It’s been known to change during the game.

“They have a strong driving game, are very mobile to fit their game plan. We’ve got a long night up front and we must dig in, work hard and make sure we don’t give them front foot ball. That is when they are dangerous.

“It is going to be a tough game, but we have shown improvement in our away league fixtures so far so if we can step it up another level we can get a win.”

Watch the Dragons tackle Russia at Bedwas on Friday, November 16! Tickets available from the Rodney Parade Ticket Office NOW!

Season Members can enjoy a ticket discount for this match with adult entry priced at £10 in advance, £15 on the day. A valid season ticket will be required at the time of purchase.All other tickets in advance are priced £12 adults and £5 under 16s, with on the day prices for all adults £15. All tickets are unreserved, with limited seating available at the venue, available on a first come, first served basis.

Click HERE to buy online. For more information contact the Ticket Office at Dragons on 01633 674990.

Ticketing Banners
TWEETS BY @DRAGONSRUGBY
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
Would you like to be part of our success? FIND OUT MORE
Headline Sponsor
Primary Partners