Centre Adam Warren has vowed to continue to improve at Dragons and take his game ‘to another level’ after signing a new contract at the region.
Warren became the third Dragons player to commit his future to the region when he agreed a new contract which will keep him at the region until at least 2021 – joining Lewis Evans and Matthew Screech in staying at Rodney Parade.
The 28-year-old from Burry Port moved east in 2015, starting all 30 games in his first campaign at the region and is now fast approaching a century of games for Dragons.
But Warren has eager to now take his game to another level as he prepares for action in South Africa this weekend.
“I know I am capable of doing more and that’s what I am looking to do now,” he said.
“Since I joined the Dragons I have definitely taken my game on and I’ve had to learn more in terms of decision-making.
“I’ve always been someone who likes to take defenders on with my footwork and try and offload, but I’ve had to improve my handling to try and put people into space a bit more.
“I’ve picked things up from being around people like Gavin Henson and Zane Kirchner, who see the game a bit differently, and I still think that I can take my game to another level.
“At the Scarlets I was behind Wales internationals and it got to a stage where it was better to move to get game time,” he added.
“I’ve have played regularly since being here but now I need to really put a stamp down about what I can do consistently.
“Being versatile can be a bad thing sometimes! I want to settle on one position but they do move me to cover. I don’t mind that, because I just want to play, but ideally you want to be a first-choice in one position.
"I’ve have played regularly since being here but now I need to really put a marker down about what I can do consistently.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash with Isuzu Southern Kings, Warren admits Dragons face a huge challenge in Port Elizabeth.
“It’s a big test for us because we know that we have struggled away from home and are still trying to find that little thing that will turn a few of those results our way,” he said.
“We’ve been close a few times but some other results have been way off. We know that the Kings will be right up for this and will see it as a massive game as well.
“This is a cup final for us and they are a dangerous team. We can’t be sloppy out there because they will run 95-metres and score.
“They are deadly from any turnovers and if it gets loose then it will suit them and their fast guys.
“If we attack better than we have recently, put a few good phases together and force them into making some bad reads then we can get on the scoreboard and build a lead.
“They are the sort of team that we can’t switch off against, we have to be alert. If we are in their 22 then we still have to be on our toes because their last option is to kick.
“The season hasn’t been great and the amount of change has been tough, but we look at the last block of games as really exciting,” he added.
“We have two big games in South Africa and chances to get that away win and then Judgement Day against the Scarlets in front of a big crowd, and we have played well in the derbies.
“We’ve just got to use this block to move forward as a region. Ceri (Jones) has stepped up well, stripped back a few things and built a good relationship with our leadership group.”
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Since I joined the Dragons I have definitely taken my game on and I’ve had to learn more in terms of decision-making...
