Dragons look to build on European success

The Dragons have announced a 24-man squad for the trip to Murrayfield with Wales U20 fullback and new recruit Martyn Thomas named in the squad. Thomas joined the region in January and has subsequently recovered from a hamstring injury.

Nathan Brew and hooker Steve Jones both came through unscathed on Saturday following their absences through foot and shoulder injuries respectively.

Looking ahead to Friday’s all-important Magners League game Head Coach Paul Turner said, “It is fantastic for everyone in the region that we have secured a semi-final place and naturally everyone is buoyed by the result. We have to take the confidence from the win against Brive on the road as we have two important Magners League games before we can focus on the game against Clermont.

“Edinburgh is always a tough place to go to and with our aim to push up the Magners League table then we have to find some form on the road. I was pleased with the performance on Saturday although we took our foot off the pedal and allowed Brive back into the game when we should have shut them out.

“We have to learn that once we are in the lead and dominating we have to keep the pressure on and build but that will come with experience as we grow as a side.”

The Dragons are aware that while they have won in France this year they have not won away in the Magners League since September when they beat Borders; they have not won at Murrayfield since October 2004. Edinburgh have slipped to three successive losses and won just one of their last five encounters. In the seven game series between the Dragons and Edinburgh it is Edinburgh who lead with four wins to the Dragons’ three.

Captain Kevin Morgan said, “April is a huge month for everyone at the Dragons as we have our semi-final to look forward to but also important Magners League games. We have Edinburgh away this weekend before Leinster visit Rodney Parade so there is certainly no let-up in intensity.

“Our form in the Magners League away from home has been disappointing but apart from the blip against the Scarlets we have secured losing bonus points in our other games on the road so we are only narrowly losing. As a squad we have to turn these losses into victories if we are to avoid being the fourth placed Welsh region.”

Dragons Squad: Kevin Morgan (Capt), Martyn Thomas, Gareth Wyatt, Paul Emerick, Nathan Brew, Aled Brew, Richard Fussell, Ceri Sweeney, Aled Thomas, Gareth Cooper, Alex Walker, Adam Black, Steve Jones, Ben Daly, Jamie Corsi, Lee Harrison, Ian Gough, Andrew Hall, Peter Sidoli, Luke Charteris, Michael Owen, Nic Fitisemanu, Colin Charvis, Jamie Ringer