Boss Dean Ryan insists now is the time for his Dragons to build momentum after a long lay-off and with a busy period of Guinness PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup rugby on the horizon.
Dragons return to action this Sunday as they travel to Italy to take on Benetton Rugby in the region’s first game in almost a month.
Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan admits there is a feeling of relief in the camp coming out a tough and challenging period for the squad.
“I think coming off the back of it now is just a feeling of relief and just wanting to get back playing,” he said. “This week has been the first week where we have looked at any sort of return to normality.
“We are pleased to be back. We genuinely see people’s delight to be back training and looking forward to getting back and playing again.
“It’s been very difficult on so many fronts, but around the rugby it’s been very stop-start and hopefully this week is the start of us getting back playing and learning again."
One of the big challenges for Ryan’s men as they return to action is how can they play refreshed and not be rusty after their time off.
“This is an experience I have never had before,” he said. “If you look at our season on a piece of paper, we had to play the three unbeaten sides as our start and then we had to stop for two weeks. Now we have to start again, there isn’t any blueprint for that.”
Ryan continued: “I think we are showing a lot of enthusiasm during the week and if we can generate that into the game then I believe enthusiasm will override anything else. I think that’s the challenge.
“There is a danger that we return and are hesitant. Then suddenly we are behind in the race again, so I’m hoping that enthusiasm can give us some momentum into not only this week but next week and going forward.”
The Heineken Champions Cup is now just around the corner as Dragons prepare to take on Gallagher Premiership runners-up Wasps and French outfit Bordeaux-Begles in their return to Europe’s elite competition.
And Ryan believes momentum will be key and Dragons must build that over the coming weeks with European rugby quickly followed by derby matches over the festive period.
“If you took a helicopter view of the season, we’ve got to get some momentum back in,” he said.
“It’s not just about this week, it’s about Glasgow the week after, Wasps, Bordeaux, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets, so you look at it and go ‘we need to get moving’.
“You also look at our first three games and go that was a pretty tough start.
“Now is the time to start demonstrating that we have learnt some lessons and we can apply them in games.”
If you took a helicopter view of the season, we’ve got to get some momentum back in...
