Jared Rosser insists Dragons will go ‘all guns blazing;’ into the final pool games of the European Challenge Cup – as he bids to provide the fireworks out wide after a frustrating first half of the season.
Rosser will line up against Castres Olympique at Stade Pierre-Fabre this afternoon (Saturday) as Dragons look to take a big step towards a place in the knockout stage.
The Dragons Academy graduate knows the size of the challenge up against the 2018 Top14 champions and a Castres side who have not lost on home soil in Europe since December 2015.
However, the 22-year-old is keen to get stuck in as the young guns at the region are given another chance to impress in France.
“It’s all guns blazing now for the next two weeks. We know we have got a job to do and it’s a big game on Saturday,” said Rosser.
“The style of game we want to play has not really happened this season because we haven’t had the dry weather to try and execute it. Along with the back three, we would all like a dry day out there.
“We’ve been unfortunate with injuries,” he added. “But when you get the opportunity to play you have to take your chance. Show Dean (Ryan) and the other boys what you can bring to the table.
“It does open doors for the younger boys and we all saw Rio (Dyer) last weekend and you see what they can do when they get a chance.
"There are a lot of areas of your game that you can’t really work on until you are exposed to it on the professional stage.
“Experiencing it for the first time can be quite daunting, but you have the coaches and experienced players to talk to.
“I was lucky when I was coming through we had Zane (Kirchner), Hallam (Amos) and Ashton (Hewitt). Talking to the more experienced players in your group can help you out a lot.”
Rosser returned to the starting line-up over the festive period against Cardiff Blues and also featured in the epic comeback win over Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
And he is eager to make up for lost time after injury hit on the eve of the new campaign.
“I fractured my fibula in the lower part of my leg so it was gutting for me,” he revealed.
“It was a new experience, it was my first proper injury, so going through that was a new experience and understanding the rehab side of things.
“It happened two days before our pre-season game with Scarlets. You work hard during pre-season and then you do that.
“I do find myself getting a lot more confidence after the game at the weekend (with Ospreys),” he added.
“I am getting back into the swing of things. Hopefully I will get a few more games under my belt now and finish where I left off.”
It’s all guns blazing now for the next two weeks. We know we have got a job to do and it’s a big game on Saturday...
