Paul Turner promises Dragons fire

Nov 29 2007 Western Mail

BELIEVE it or not, the Dragons have never been beaten on home soil in the EDF Energy Cup.

So, on the eve of tomorrow’s final pool game against Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester, Dragons coach Paul Turner has been doing his level best to lift the gloom which, after defeats to Newcastle, Perpignan, London Irish and Munster, has once again settled on Rodney Parade.

Suddenly, the bigger picture which involves stabilising the overall state of rugby within the region and producing players capable of performing on the ultimate stage – there was four in the 22 against South Africa last weekend – has been forgotten.

Instead, that run of defeats in Anglo-Welsh and Heineken Cups as well as the Magners League, have preoccupied the collective mind within the Gwent region.

Of course, Turner is not the kind of blinkered animal who refuses to accept the demands of those who pay at the turnstiles.

He knows two wins in the last two games would have made life an awful lot easier ahead of Gloucester’s visit.

But, in reality, the Dragons squad punched above their weight in Perpignan last month and were in no way deserving of their favourites tag against the Irish.

Turner said, “It’s tough because of the depth of our squad at the moment.

“I read a statistic from last season that highlighted the difference between ourselves and some of the sides we have to play against.

“Take Leicester, not one of their squad ever played any more than five games on the bounce last season. They played, were taken away for conditioning and were then reintroduced at a time when they were physically and mentally right to perform.

“We had players who played 14 consecutive matches last season – and that’s not on. Those players cannot possibly perform at the highest level over such a period.”

Take Richard Mustoe for example. The Ospreys wing, who is currently on loan at Rodney Parade, has started every game this season due, not only to his form, but out of necessity too.

Tomorrow night he plays again. It’s a tough, if not ridiculous, ask.

Turner said, “The great thing about the squad is they don’t complain. The spirit is good and they want the best for this region.

“OK, so we are not going to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but we have a proud home record in the EDF.

“I am sure Gloucester will provide us with the ultimate test, and, if we can beat a side who boast so many top internationals, it would provide further confirmation that we are developing.”

With Michael Owen on Barbarians duty and the likes of Dan Lydiate, Richard Parks, Gareth Wyatt, Kevin Morgan, Lee Harrison and Luke Charteris on the injury list, Turner has opted for a blend of experience and youth.

Richard Fussell steps in on the right wing, Gareth Maule is in the centre and Ceri Sweeney captains the side from outside-half. Nic Fitisemanu, Ben Daly and Gethin Robinson get places in the pack.

Dragons: M Thomas; R Fussell, R Davies, G Maule, R Mustoe; C Sweeney (capt), A Williams; A Black, B Daly, G Robinson, A Jones, P Sidoli, J Bearman, J Ronger, N Fitisemanu. Replacements: S Jones, H Gustaffson, A Hall, P Emerick, L Evans, W Evans, A Thomas.