Easterby sure Dragons can really fire

Jan 1 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

SIMON EASTERBY believes the doom merchants inside and outside Rodney Parade are doing the Dragons a gross disservice.

And the Scarlets skipper, speaking ahead of the New Year’s Day Magners League derby with the their Welsh rivals (4.10pm kick-off), might just have a point.

For it seems the negative vibes which emanate frequently from the Gwent region have got through to members of the Dragons squad, who now appear to think they are worse than they actually are.

Admittedly, a lengthy injury-list which has provoked a back-row crisis doesn’t help the Dragons.

But they aren’t as bad as those who believe that simply spending money buys success are making out. They forget there are other skills involved in team building.

Take the 2004-05 season, when Mike Ruddock was national coach, the Dragons thrived under his positive leadership and man-management skills.

This meant players performed to their maximum as they finished a shock third in the inaugural season-long Celtic League in 2003-04.

Morale rocketed and players thought they could walk on water. But, as 2008 begins, there seems to be a fear of drowning at the Dragons with just one success in nine outings.

Easterby, however, disagrees with knockers of the Gwent region who have only succeeded in creating apathy and dwindling attendances.

“They are a physical side, competitive and, maybe, people don’t give them the credit they deserve. They are a good side,” said the Ireland and British Lions star.

“They showed what they are capable of against the Blues on Boxing Day, pushing them all the way.”

The Blues won 11-6 at Cardiff Arms Park, in a match which was low on skill but high on commitment with two red and two yellow cards.

Back-rower Joe Bearman was the Dragon dismissed - Paul Tito went for the Blues following a lengthy brawl - while Bearman’s team-mates Gethin Robinson and Adam Black sin-binned for technical offences.

Scrum-half Wayne Evans was also cited, along with Blues forward Ben White, for their part in the punch-up.

Easterby insists the Scarlets must improve on their 17-12 win over the Ospreys last Thursday if they are to win at Rodney Parade for the second consecutive season.

Last season, the Scarlets stole the spoils against the run of play.

“We are going to have to be better for that game over there,” he said.

“We have to go there and win. If we win like we did against the Ospreys, we will be happy.”

That success has left the Scarlets poised to move up the Magners League table. They are fourth but within striking range of the teams above.

Having bombed out of Europe - they have lost their four matches at the group stage - and the Anglo-Welsh EDF Energy Cup when they let Saracens through by the back door, the Magners is the only piece of silverware open to them.

“This is where our focus is now because the league is the only thing we can win,” said Easterby.

“It was nice to get back to winning ways against the Ospreys. It wasn’t pretty at times but it was effective.

“We defended particularly well, maybe we wanted it a little bit more than them.”

Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones has been ruled out with a thumb injury.

Dragons No 8 Bearman’s red card on Boxing Day has been upheld by a WRU panel but, like Blues forward Tito, he will not face any suspension.

Blues flanker Ben White, who was cited by the match commissioner, has been suspended for five weeks. He will be eligible to play again on January 31.

Dragons scrum-half Wayne Evans was also cited by the match commissioner. He has been given a two week-ban and is eligible to play again on January 10.