Centre Jack Dixon admits it will be a special moment as he runs out to make his 150th appearance for Dragons tonight – a region where he has made ‘lifelong friends’ and memories.
Dixon will become only the 10th player to reach the magical milestone as the EPCR Challenge Cup encounter between the Men of Gwent and Gloucester explodes into life under the Rodney Parade lights.
He famously became the youngest player to make a Welsh regional appearance when he came off the bench in the LV= Cup win away at Wasps in October 2011 - aged just 16 years 313 days.
The Newbridge-born man broke the record set by team-mate Hallam Amos just 33 minutes earlier, when he had started the game.
Over a decade on and Dixon, 27, is ready to hit the 150-barrier and admits it has been a week of reflection for him.
“I was saying to Jared Rosser recently that this is the first season where it has taken me a couple of days to get over games, I don't know if rugby is quietly catching up with me,” he smiled.
“My first full professional season was when I was 17 and 10 years in the game is going to take its toll, but I still feel young, fit and fresh and I am still learning and enjoying it.
“A lot has changed, I remember driving back and forth to Rodney Parade when I was first playing,” he added.
“We were over to Newport High School and back to the cabbage patch whereas now it’s a pleasure coming into Ystrad Mynach, they are cracking facilities.
“I have seen coaches come and go and this week I have been reflecting on the people that I have met and the laughs along the way. “
To go out and play every weekend with boys that you can call lifelong friends is pretty special.
“I love coming in to training every day, playing on the weekend and waking up the next day feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus.”
Dixon has been praised by boss Dean Ryan for evolving his game in recent seasons and the way he has adapted to challenges.
“I have tried to develop my spatial awareness, handling and ball playing along with my bread and butter,” added Dixon.
“I try to get over the gain line and get the team on the front foot, but you always try to keep your game up with what is needed.
“Every weekend I just try my best for the team. I am not the one that scores the tries, I am the one that takes all the beatings in midfield to let the boys outside me score the tries.
“It's no secret that sometimes it's tough being a Dragon but I love coming into training and going out on the pitch with these boys,” he said. “I can't complain doing this as a job.”
To go out and play every weekend with boys that you can call lifelong friends is pretty special...
