Lock Joe Davies wants Dragons to continue a rich vein of home form against French sides as Rodney Parade when European Challenge Cup action explodes back into life this evening.
The big second row is keen to throw his weight around and help subdue high-flying French Top 14 side Lyon when they visit Newport (kick-off 8pm).
Davies was in the side that lost their opening match of the tournament, 22-16, away to Perpignan last week. However, he knows the weight of recent history is with Dean Ryan’s men.
Dragons have won 10 of their 12 home games against Top 14 sides in the Challenge Cup - scoring 30+ points in eight of those games and conceding as many points only once in that run.
Former Wales Under-20 international Davies was also in the Dragons side that earned one of their more notable recent home wins against a French club – back in 2019, when they hammered Castres, 31-17.
“I remember that game against Castres. They were a very talented side, but we matched them up front and we got on top,” he said.
“We need to do the same again – put down a platform and let our backs do their thing.
“People talk about different tournaments being priorities, but for us, every game is a priority. Last year European rugby was very disrupted, so we are keen to go well this time.”
Going into the international break for November, the Dragons’ form had been promising.
They earned a hard-fought win over Connacht in Galway and lost by single point to Leinster. But following the autumn Tests – where six Dragons players featured – Dragons had yet to hit those heights.
International calls are likely to be an increasing demand for the region, however, rather than something that lessens – especially given the immediate impact made by forwards Taine Basham, Ben Carter and Will Rowlands.
And Davies has been impressed by Basham, in particular, and says: “Taine had an awesome autumn series.
“I am a bit in awe of him when he runs. He stays on his feet and break tackles that he shouldn’t really be breaking. His movement off either foot is so hard to predict. He’s incredible.
“It bodes well for us that he has committed his future to the region.”
S4C – Friday, 7.55pm: Rygbi Ewrop. Dragons v Lyon: Live coverage of the match between Dragons and Lyon in the European Challenge Cup, from Rodney Parade. Kick off 8.00pm. Ends
People talk about different tournaments being priorities, but for us, every game is a priority. Last year European rugby was very disrupted, so we are keen to go well this time...
