Back row Harri Keddie believes Dragons must be ready for a ‘physical challenge up front’ when they face in-form Munster at Rodney Parade in the Guinness PRO14.
Munster arrive in Newport top of Conference A and in high spirits having booked a last eight place in the European Champions Cup.
Keddie acknowledges that Dragons must expect another stern examination on home soil – just over a week after coming up against a flying ASM Clermont Auvergne side.
However, he claims the team have learnt lessons from that fixture and are ready to reproduce the kind of form that saw them defeat Ospreys in late December.
“Munster will pose a similar physical challenge up front to Clermont,” said the 22-year-old forward.
“They like to dominate teams, especially around set piece and the scrum and maul.
“Most teams have got that physical drive and carrying game, you have got to stand up to it.
“We have shown this season, in games like Ospreys and Edinburgh, that when can do that and be accurate with our power game then we are a good side.
“We want to pick up wins now,” he added. “We have spoken as a group that we have had time to gel, we have got to progress now and to pick up wins.
“We’ve a few home games coming up, plus trips to Italy and Africa, which ae good opportunities for us to go out and try and get a few more wins on the board.”
Magor-born Keddie has operated at six and eight this season and insists he has happy to play anywhere, especially given the fierce competition for places in the back row.
“I’m happy just to play,” he smiled. “Playing six or eight, with the way we play, is not massively different, just a new place in the lineout or scrum.
“In attack and defence, it is all interchangeable between the three back rows. I guess I have played more six lately, but I am enjoying it.
"The injury to Ross (Moriarty) meant that I got three or four games over the festive period to get my game going. It is always unfortunate when somebody gets injured, but it opens the door and I enjoyed the starts in the derby games.
“It’s nice to get that run of games. It’s hard being on the side when you see the boys playing well, particularly in the back row here where it is so competitive.
“Most of the games this year our back row has gone well, win or lose, so it’s been nice to get in the last few weeks and be part of it.”
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We’ve a few home games coming up, plus trips to Italy and Africa, which ae good opportunities for us to go out and try and get a few more wins on the board...
