Ruddock Remains Calm Despite Stradey Setback

Gwent Dragons are staying calm after losing their Celtic League opener against fellow Welsh opposition Llanelli Scarlets, with coach Mike Ruddock stressing the 22-match competition is all about the long haul through to the middle of next May.
‘The Celtic League is a marathon and not a sprint,’ said Ruddock. ‘There is no panic just because we have lost one game.
‘It was a tough battle down there – just as you would expect going to Stradey and playing in front of their crowd. However, it was a bit disappointing to concede a couple of late tries after defending pretty well.
‘We also gave away 20 penalties and you cannot afford to do that against opposition of the quality of the Scarlets.
‘Now we are looking forward to meeting the Ospreys, and well done to them in getting such a good win against Ulster. That will make them high on confidence and really up for the challenge.
‘It might have been nice to have faced a non-Welsh team in the first two matches, to give us a different perspective of what we are about, but we have got two Welsh derby matches and we will just get on with the business.
‘We will settle down over the next few weeks and show what we can do. I am confident that we will be a force.’