Talismanic forward Cory Hill is ready to sink his teeth into the Welsh derby season this festive period – after being starved of rugby during his 10 months on the sidelines.
The Wales international made a sensational return to action for Dragons in the European Challenge Cup win over Worcester Warriors at Rodney Parade last Friday evening.
The 27-year-old played the full 80 minutes after a year that has seen him miss action – and have his World Cup hopes dashed – by an ankle injury and then stress fracture at a training camp with Wales.
Boss Dean Ryan had vowed not to rush Hill back into action and the Director of Dragons Rugby saw his plans vindicated as the forward shone in the gloom in the European win over Worcester.
Hill could now be set to feature again as the derby season explodes into life with a home clash with Scarlets on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).
"The plan was always to try and have a run out before the Christmas derbies, so it's perfect timing,” smiled Hill, who has made 106 appearances for the region.
"These are the first ones that you look for on the calendar, the games that everybody wants to be involved in. These are the ones that you hope to peak for.
"We've got three tough derbies over Christmas and hopefully we can get a couple of victories.
"The plan was always to have 50 minutes against Worcester, but the weather probably changed that because it wasn't a fast game, it was more set-piece orientated," he added.
"When you are on you just enjoy it and I loved being back out there, 50 soon turned to 80 and it was nice to be on there at the end."
Reflecting on his summer, Hill insists he still takes a huge amount from his time in the Wales camp in Japan.
"Injury is part and parcel of the game and you have to get on with them. I said all along that you have to stay as positive as you can," he said.
"I was lucky enough to get a little taste of the World Cup experience out there with the squad, spending time in Japan and experiencing the culture and all of the good that was going on.
"It was obviously frustrating and nobody wants to get injured but as soon as it was over it was just about trying to recover and get back on the pitch as soon as possible.
"The medical team in the Welsh squad are unbelievable, and the strength and conditioning coaches as well. They did everything they could but time was against me and it wasn't meant to be,” he added.
Hill firmly believes he is a stronger person for the difficult experiences of the last 12 months – and with derby day action on the horizon he is ready to make up for lost time.
"I've missed playing," he said. "You don't so much miss the Tuesday afternoons of flat-out contact sessions at a wet and windy Ystrad Mynach, but it's hard.
"You are there watching the boys play and working hard when you can't. It's pretty frustrating and I wouldn't want to be my girlfriend, living with a Cory Hill that doesn't get to play rugby.
"It's been a hard 10 months but it was nice to be back on Friday and get a win with the boys. Now we are all really looking forward to the derby season.”
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These are the first ones that you look for on the calendar, the games that everybody wants to be involved in... These are the ones that you hope to peak for...
