Boss Dean Ryan insists he is happy that he has players away with Wales – even if it disrupts his preparations for the return to Guinness PRO14 action.
Ryan admits he has spoken with Wales boss Wayne Pivac this week about his eight players - Ross Moriarty, Aaron Wainwright, Elliot Dee, Ollie Griffiths, Sam Davies, Taine Basham, Ashton Hewitt and Leon Brown - who are currently involved in the national set-up preparing for the game with Barbarians at Principality Stadium this weekend.
However, Director of Dragons Rugby, Ryan, has not pushed for their return ahead of Zebre visiting Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5.15pm) – insisting the longer they are in that international environment the better.
“We have had some conversations with Wayne, but it’s important to recognise that we want them involved with Wales. It is not conversations that we want them back,” said Ryan.
“It’s an important pathway that we want to open up and aspire to. Without aspiration the rest of our group won’t move on.
“We have been very supportive. We understand that there are 23 players on match day, and we also understand that there is a huge amount of learning, even if you are not in the match day 23.
“We have been supportive for all our players to be there as long as they can be,” he added.
“When team selection is made (on Thursday) we will have a better understanding of who we may get back.
“The key thing is we’re delighted that they spend as long as they can with Wales, irrespective of whether they are involved on Saturday.
“Where we are at, that pathway is important and showing that the Dragons can get there.”
Ryan is also hopeful that back row ace Ollie Griffiths has proven his fitness ahead of the weekend’s game.
“Ollie, I believe, has trained all week with Wales, which was always the target,” he added.
“He has had some poor timing with injuries and with his opportunities to play for Wales.
“We want to give him the best possible chance and, from what I understand, that is going well. We hope for that to continue for Ollie.”
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It’s important to recognise that we want them involved with Wales... It is not conversations that we want them back...
