Dragons fire up for Warriors
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:57
Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner took stock of his side's pre-season performances, when announcing his 25-man squad ahead of their Magners League opener against Glasgow Warriors on Friday.
As the region begins their Magners League crusade this weekend at Rodney Parade, Dragons' head coach Turner looked toward the new season with enthusiasm, and acknowledged the need to make a strong start at their beloved home ground.
"I'm pretty excited about what lies in store for us as a region," Turner told the Newport Gwent Dragons official site.
"We have recruited well over the summer and I can feel the buzz around the place. I know that the players are keen to get out on the field and make a strong start to the season.
"One thing is for sure, that there is always a sense of high-expectancy around Rodney Parade and for that you cannot fault our loyal supporters."
Tom Willis will captain the side for their first game of the new season and hopes that the challenge will awaken the excitement at Rodney Parade.
"The Magners League opener against Glasgow presents our first big chance to make a statement and we're looking forward to the challenge in front of our home crowd on Friday evening," said Willis.
"We've been working very hard for the last two months with the physical conditioning and, more recently, re-tuning our game. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that we're hanging out for a kick-off and some action," he added.
Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins is delighted that the new season is upon the Dragons, as he too looked ahead to Friday evening.
"It will be great to welcome back all our supporters for what promises to be an exciting season," said Jenkins.
"I hope that our robust recruitment, a healthy commercial programme and the projected new stadium will breathe fire into the Dragons performance this season and am looking forward to sharing this with the fans at home on Friday."
Coach Turner also noted the level playing fields at the start of the 2008/09 season, having picked up a number of injuries during the Dragons' pre-season endeavors.
"Friday night will be an exciting occasion yet we are no different from other sides and have picked up injuries during the conditioning period and practice games," Turner added.
Dragons squad: J Tovey, T Selley, A Smith, R Gomer-Davies, R Sidey, M Stcherbina, G Maule, R Fussell, S Connor, J Arlidge, W Evans, R Lewis, A Black, H Gustafson, L Harrison, R Thomas, T Willis, L Burns, A Jones, L Charteris, J Bearman, L Evans, J Ringer, G Webb, R Parks.
Date: Friday, September 5
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 19.05 (18.05 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch judges: Phil Fear (Wales), Phil Connett (Wales)
Television match official: Huw Lewis (Wales)
