Dragons ready to match Wasps’ physical presence

Oct 27 2007 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

MATCHING the physical power of Wasps has to be the aim of Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade this evening (5.30pm).

Paul Turner’s side meet the European champions in the opening clash of their EDF Energy Cup programme and prop Adam Black is clear about the priorities.

“Anyone who watches Wasps, even in Wales, will know they’ve got a good squad and they put a lot of emphasis on the A League as well so that their players can constantly step up,” he said.

“They have got a lot of talent and I’ll quite like it if they do try to rough it up, but they won’t look forward to coming to Rodney Parade.

“They are a very physical side, a tough team, and we’ve got to make sure we match that and then get the upper hand in the later stages of the game.”

And rather than be fazed by the meeting with the English giants, Black says he sees it just as a great opportunity.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to play our game,” he added.

“We’re in the best situation for squad size we’ve ever been in, we’ve got a lot of young guys in the team who like to go out and play, and they deserve a shot in this game.

“We haven’t had that fortress feeling at Rodney Parade for a while, we’ve lost it a bit at home and so the fans will be massively important to us.

“We need to get a winning streak back, we owe it to ourselves and the fans.”

Dragons (v Wasps, h): M Thomas; G Wyatt, R Gomer-Davies, A Smith, R Mustoe; C Sweeney, W Evans; A Black, S Jones, R Thomas, L Charteris, M Owen, D Lydiate, R Parks, C Charvis (c). Reps: B Daly, H Gustafson, A Hall, J Ringer, P Emerick, A Thomas, A Williams.