Prop ace Lloyd Fairbrother knows Zebre will be a ‘different animal’ when Dragons welcome them to Rodney Parade – but believes a hat-trick of home wins is within grasp.
Dean Ryan’s men are back in Guinness PRO14 action on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm) looking to make it three successive victories on home soil after sweeping past Glasgow Warriors and Castres Olympique.
Dragons stormed to a 52-28 win when the teams met in Parma in early October – ending a four-and-a-half year wait for an away win in emphatic fashion by piling up the points against 14-man Zebre.
However, the Italians are expected to welcome back a number of internationals for the latest tussle and Fairbrother knows Dragons must produce a polished home show to claim the points.
He said: “We are aware that we will be missing a few players due to the international game, but it’s a big chance for some of the young boys and senior players to really make an impression.
“Zebre will be a different animal now. They have shown in recent games that they are an improving side and I’m sure all the Italian internationals will be back in.
“You know what you are going to get from the Italians, they will be big up front and they will look to scrum, maul and be physical.
“These games are always an arm wrestle and they will be in your face. I imagine they will be fired up after what happened in Parma.
“It’s a massive challenge and one I am sure we will step up to. We have to turn up, focus on getting our own game right and produce.
“It’s important to be strong on home soil and keep building ahead of the derby games.”
Fairbrother believes back-to-back wins in Europe has been the ideal preparation for the return to league hostilities.
And he insists having players away on international duty with Wales is no excuse not to perform.
“People are saying we are missing the internationals, the excuse is already there for us. But I’m not interested in that, we need to turn up and show what we are about,” he said.
“It’s a step up this weekend as we go back into the PRO14, but we can show what we are about at home and show what we have been building the last few weeks in Europe.
“I’m not sure I would say I enjoyed Russia! It was a long few flights and a long few bus journeys, but it was job done and a professional display.
“We had all the reasons in the world to not turn up and perform, but we put that to one side and it was a top performance with a young outfit.
“We owe so much to the Rodney Parade fans,” he added. “They turn up week after week and deserve some success.
“Keeping them happy and winning is our only priority. To get three wins on the spin at home would be awesome. If we perform I’m confident we can achieve it.”
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They have shown in recent games that they are an improving side and I’m sure all the Italian internationals will be back in...
