Dean Ryan has praised the impact off the bench of Jacob Botica this season – admitting the playmaker has helped ‘glue’ performances together for Dragons.
Botica was a second half replacement in the comeback win over Ospreys – moving into full back when Will Talbot-Davies was forced off with a wrist injury.
The 26-year-old has been a key part of the match day squad in recent months and has made seven appearances in all competitions.
And Ryan admits the former RGC 1404 player is now pushing for more game time with Talbot-Davies joining the likes of Jordan Williams (knee), Dafydd Howells (elbow) and Owen Jenkins (ankle) on the sidelines.
"Jacob really gets our game," said Ryan. "Covering for Sam Davies can be a pretty tough position, because he is playing so well.
"But Jacob has been outstanding – there are not many people who work as hard as he does every day, knowing that probably he is slightly behind the other bloke.
"I am really pleased because when he comes on he sort of glues our game together rather than being one of the standout players.
"He just becomes really good glue and some of the attacking bits at the end against the Ospreys were because of Jacob's ambition."
On his selection for the Castres game, Ryan added: "His work under the high balls was good and his kicking game we know already, so if he can glue our attacking game together then we will see, because we are pretty bare in the cupboard.
"Jacob is in the 23 all the time and that's credit to him. Coming from RGC is tough and his first year wasn't great, but I just really like a lad who wants to work every day to get that chance."
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He just becomes really good glue and some of the attacking bits at the end against the Ospreys were because of Jacob's ambition...
