Dean Ryan has praised the competition for places in the Dragons RFC squad ahead of the season opener with Edinburgh – admitting it has created several big selection headaches.
The Men of Gwent travel north to Scotland and the DAM Health Stadium this Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) as the new BKT United Rugby Championship season explodes into life.
This summer has seen nine new faces integrated into the squad and Ryan has revealed how competition to be in that very first starting line-up has cranked up as the big date approaches.
“Everybody gets to the end of pre-season and recognises the need to get into games. There's only so much you can prepare,” he said.
“We’re keen to play, see what it looks like in a game. Not to be talking about combinations but to be talking about the team. We’ve got to play.
“When you change that number of players within a squad you’ve got to play to understand where you are, but this week is the most competitive I've ever seen a Dragons squad.
“Selection has created five or six headaches for us. It's left five or six people disappointed that they're not in - that's what recruitment does.
“For the Dragons to drive higher standards, have better behaviours and look forward to the future, we’ve got to create competition. This is as competitive a group as I've been involved in.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them play. If they don't play well we have options and people who can come in and take that place.
“That is healthy for us and not somewhere we've been for a long time.”
Dragons saw the club’s final pre-season game with Scarlets last Friday postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ryan acknowledged the decision not to play was the right one and has now challenged those that missed out on game time to impress in training.
“It was quite clear that it wasn't the right time to play,” said Ryan.
“There's no looking back and thinking what we could have done differently, it was the right thing for it not to be played.
“But in any plans that was a point where some people were going to get their first time on a field and a springboard into the season.
“We're fortunate that we played two games prior to that. But with anything across a pre-season, there's people coming later into the process than those who have been with us all summer.
“Some will have to get more out of training in the next few weeks to be able to push hard to be up for selection.”
Tickets for the opening four home games of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season at Rodney Parade are on sale NOW! Click HERE to buy online or call 01633 670690.
For the Dragons to drive higher standards, have better behaviours and look forward to the future, we’ve got to create competition... This is as competitive a group as I've been involved in...
