Head Coach Dai Flanagan has urged Dragons to take the opportunity to impress at home and make Rodney Parade a tough place to come – as they prepare for four out of the first five league games on home soil.
The new BKT United Rugby Championship season explodes into life on Saturday when the Men of Gwent welcome Edinburgh Rugby to Newport (kick-off 3.05pm).
The fixture list sees Flanagan’s men also face Cardiff Rugby, Leinster and Ospreys on home soil in the opening month of action – with an away trip to Munster the solo journey in the opening five games.
And the Head Coach admitted spirits were high after a productive but lengthy pre-season for the squad.
“The season has been a long time coming,” he smiled. “We've been looking forward to the start for a long time now, since we got back together, so we're excited.
“It's nice to be at home the first game so everyone's looking forward. This first block is the only thing we really focused on most of the summer.
“Obviously we want to grow a game and it's nice to do that at home with four of the first five there. “We're aware of the opportunity we have with playing those games at home. “It’s a tough league the United Rugby Championship – and you need to win your home games.
“That’s what we're targeting, making Rodney Parade is a tough place to go.
“We were close in a lot of games last year and didn’t get a result. That's why pre-season has been quite pleasing because we managed to pull home late on in both games.”
Flanagan has revealed that prop Chris Coleman is rated as 50/50 to make the opening date, but apart from Lewis Jones (cheekbone) he has full squad – minus Wales internationals - up for selection.
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It's nice to be at home the first game so everyone's looking forward. This first block is the only thing we really focused on most of the summer...
