Bryan to Lead Dragons

After a four-week break from domestic rugby The Dragons are back in action on Saturday as they take on fourth-placed Guinness Premiership side Worcester Warriors at Rodney Parade (kick off 2.30pm).

Kath McCarthy | 30/11/2005

Richard Bryan will take over the captaincy duties from Jason Forster who has been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash.

With the exception of Gareth Cooper, The Dragons have not been able to call on any of their international players due to a number of injuries. Kevin Morgan is nursing an ankle injury, Ceri Sweeney is suffering with a groin injury, Luke Charteris has a calf injury while Michael Owen and Ian Gough are suffering from bumps and bruises they picked up in the Autumn Internationals.

“We know that we cannot qualify for the semi finals of the Powergen Cup although I feel we have made our mark on this competition and it could turn out that we have beaten the side who go onto win the tournament.” commented coach Paul Turner, “We have a number of big matches in the forthcoming month and with our Welsh Internationals out injured it allows the coaching staff the opportunity to see players who have not played so far this season in action such as Bryn Griffiths, Pontypool’s Scott Williams and Academy player Ashley Smith. “Worcester are a formidable side and although they have not done so well in the Powergen Cup competition, they are flying high in the Guinness Premiership currently lying in fourth place. They have a strong squad of players not least in Chris Horsman who has performed so well for Wales in their Autumn Internationals. He is a big scrummager and mobile around the park. I expect The Dragons to play with the excitement and commitment they have shown all season and supporters will be in for a treat, as the two sides like to play a wide, expansive game. It is disappointing not to be in a position to qualify especially after our superb performance against Leicester, however, Saturday’s game will yet again provide us with a marker to see where we are against English opposition.”

In the centre Sione Tuipulotu is named fresh from representing Tonga and he will be joined by Pontypool centre Scott Williams who has impressed in the Principality Premiership. Richard Fussell has recovered from his ankle injury to start on the wing and is looking to get a run of games under his belt after cementing a place in the starting line up following good performances in the summer and in the opening league game against Glasgow before being injured.

In the forwards Bryn Griffiths makes his first appearance of the season after spending most of the season nursing a foot injury while Jamie Ringer plays at open side flanker in place of Jason Forster and Richard Bryan takes over the captaincy duties. Among the replacements Academy player Ashley Smith is named following his notably performances in the Premiership.

Dragons Team

15. Leigh Hinton
14. Gareth Wyatt
13. Sione Tuipulotu
12. Scott Williams
11. Richard Fussell
10. Craig Warlow
9. Gareth Cooper
1. Adam Black
2. Steve Jones
3. Gethin Robinson
4. Bryn Griffiths
5. Peter Sidoli
6. Andrew Hall
7. Jamie Ringer
8. Richard Bryan (c)

Replacements
16. Andrew Brown
17. Rhys Thomas
18. David Maddocks
19. Jason Forster
20. Ben Breeze
21. Jon Bryant
22. Ashley Smith