Dean Ryan believes delivering a precise performance will be the key to success as Dragons face Cardiff Rugby in a red-hot derby atmosphere at the Arms Park today (kick-off 5.15pm).
Ryan’s men head to the capital targeting a second win of the season on the road in the United Rugby Championship.
He said: “They are tough opposition. Dai’s experience coming in has prioritised some key pillars in their game.
“They are strong around the breakdown area; they have a lot of numbers contesting for ball and they make it hard for sides to play against them.
“For us to work out how to get our game on the field will be challenging, but it is part of the contest of being competitive this weekend.
“It’s a local derby and they stir great emotion and stir great drama. We all look forward to them because they are fantastic occasions,” he added.
“Drama, emotion, physicality, expectation – it’s all be part of this game.
“There is a different feel (in a derby week). There is a shift, you get a bit more focus, more anxiety, more emotion. All those things play out.
"Players rise to that, but it can be quite difficult to get a really precise week when all those things are bumping around.
“It is not a game when you need to worry about raising emotions. It is a game where you try and focus on a precise performance and getting the balance right.”
It’s a local derby and they stir great emotion and stir great drama... We all look forward to them because they are fantastic occasions...
