Ben Carter is relishing his senior experience at Dragons this season – and is determined to keep learning at every opportunity.
The towering second row – who has made nine appearances this campaign – was one of four Academy products to sign new contracts this week.
Homegrown aces Carter, Aneurin Owen, Chris Coleman and Will Reed all penned deals.
And ahead of this weekend’s league action, the Wales Under-20s ace has spoken about his step up to senior rugby and mixing it in the Guinness PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. Mixing in with the big boys is great. I’m learning a lot, so I’m really enjoying it,” said Carter.
“I probably didn’t expect to achieve as much as I have done. Coming in and learning for me was crucial.
“Last year I did a couple of unit sessions with the seniors and felt I learnt a lot so I felt that would be an opportunity for me.
“I have been really pleased that I have been trusted in the role to play and start. That is a bonus for me, I probably didn’t expect that this year.
“I’ve been lucky that I got that shot to play against Munster and Glasgow at the start of the season and I did well in those so have been able to keep playing.
“Had I not got that shot, there has not been many games for the younger lads and it is a tough time. I’m one of the lucky ones.”
Carter was won plenty of praise from the coaching team for his diligent approach and eagerness to learn at every opportunity.
“There is a lot of time spent off the field on analysis, but I enjoy that side of things,” said the 20-year-old.
“I quite like looking at things we can try and exploit in the game and have a good at that on the weekend.
“All of the lineout lads are like that; learning how to pick up things and where we can try and exploit areas come the weekend.”
Carter has faced some stern opposition this season and never taken a step back.
Never was that more evident than his first taste of Heineken Champions Cup rugby against Wasps - when he came up against future Dragon Will Rowlands and England star Joe Launchbury.
“It was quite the opposition. It’s great to test yourself against the best and it was fun,” he smiled.
“That was one of my earlier games and it was good to be trusted in that role. You learn a lot at that high level.
“Physically it is a big step up,” he added. “In the second row I found things like maul defence you can’t get away with any softness in areas like you could at age grade level.”
Carter will be aiming to be involved again this weekend as Dragons make the trip to Italy to face Zebre in the Guinness PRO14.
And when he discusses targets for the remainder of the season the impressive lock, often seen flying high in the lineout sky, is keeping his feet firmly on the floor.
“I’d like to stay involved with the senior squad and see it out, however the season ends. I want to keep learning,” said Carter, who away from rugby is also studying International Relations at Cardiff University.
“Enjoyment is the main thing. I’m looking forward to when the crowds can come back in and hopefully I will then enjoy it even more.
“Zebre are going to be physical and we’ve got to respect that,” he added. “We are seeing this as a real opportunity to turn things around.
“We’ve lost a few in a row now and we have seen a shift in performance but not results yet. We look to this weekend to turn that around.”
We’ve lost a few in a row now and we have seen a shift in performance but not results yet. We look to this weekend to turn that around...
