Boss Dean Ryan has spoken about his respect for opposite number Richard Cockerill ahead of the home clash with Edinburgh Rugby on Friday evening (kick-off 7.35pm).
Ryan and Cockerill have come face-to-face many times over the course of their coaching careers, repeatedly in England before current spells in Wales.
The Dragons Director of Rugby has this week voiced his respect for Cockerill and the job he has done at the Scottish side as the teams prepare to battle it out at Rodney Parade.
“Just the two of us in the stands should be interesting,” smiled Ryan. “I have a lot of respect for Richard, I think he’s created great environments wherever he’s been.
“He was successful at Leicester and he has been really successful at building a base at Edinburgh, where they have gone on to qualify for some of the European knockout stages.
“Now he is looking at how that side evolves forward post Covid and where he prioritises the players.
“I have a huge amount of respect for him,” he added. “You don’t last as long as he has in the game without being good. “He’s a smart coach as well as a particularly well organised coach and I enjoy the contest."
Looking ahead to the league encounter, Ryan is adamant his Dragons must continue to look up and aim to climb the Conference A table.
“We have always said that we want to go back and play Champions Cup rugby and if it qualifies through top four that has to be our aim,” he said.
“We have been really disappointed that we have not been able to enjoy that European experience this year due to Covid, both from selection and due to loss of games.
“We certainly set ourselves the challenge to see if we can get there again.”
He’s a smart coach as well as a particularly well organised coach and I enjoy the contest...
