| With Hal Luscombe, Steven Jones and Jamie Ringer carrying niggling injuries it has provided an opportunity to provide further experience to some of the younger Dragons players. Also brought onto the bench is Cross Keys Will Thomas, after a string of good performances with the Principality Premiership side.
“It’s been a long stop start season for the squad and we have two games to go,” commented coach Paul Turner. “There have been a lot of injuries but we will take the rough with the smooth. Whilst we are disappointed with a finish of 8th place and having to try and qualify for Europe through the play off, this squad has progressed as both individuals and as a team and want to finish with two strong performances.”
“If you look at the likes of Rhys Thomas he has thoroughly deserved his call up to the Welsh squad and Ian Gough has had a tremendous season for us and Wales, whilst player’s like Jamie Ringer, Graig Warlow and Gareth Wyatt have performed for us week in week out.”
“We have asked for players to stand up and be counted and they have, showing commitment to us and their fellow teammates. On top of this we have seen the emergence of the likes of Aled Thomas, Gareth Chapman, and David Maddocks. All have got valuable experience in Europe and the Celtic League, which will be of a tremendous benefit next season. The team spirit is strong and exemplified by the like of Hal Luscombe’s wish to stay with the team to help us get Heineken Cup Qualification next season. We will have continuity going into the next season for the first time in a while and we have squad who want to play for the Dragons and each other.”
One of the players who has shown determination this year and fought back well after a series of injuries has been Nathan Brew. Commenting on the game Nathan Brew said “We as a team and individuals have had some highs and lows this season but we are aiming to finish with a good performance against the Borders and take this into the match next week against Parma. The team spirit is strong and as players come back from injuries we will grow as a unit.”
Dragons Starting XV: Aled Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Nathan Brew, Ceri Sweeney, Ben Breeze, Craig Warlow, James Ireland, David Maddocks, Andrew Brown, Gethin Robinson, Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Andrew Hall, Rhys Oakley, Michael Owen Capt.
Replacements: Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris, Bryn Griffiths, Will Thomas, Gareth Chapman, Gareth Baber
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