Head Coach Filo Tiatia has told his Dragons now is the time to ‘park’ their European exploits and prepare for a huge challenge as Vodacom Bulls arrive in Newport.
The Men of Gwent return home for BKT United Rugby Championship action on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Dragons come into the game buoyed by back-to-back European successes over Stade Francais Paris and Zebre Parma on the road to secure a EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final clash in early May.
However, Tiatia insists the focus must be on the here and now as they face a powerful Bulls team hunting play-off rugby and a return to winning ways after losing in the Investec Champions Cup.
“We must park Europe now – that is the message," he said.
"We celebrated what we did in Europe, but now we are back on the horse in the URC and we have a good Bulls side coming.
“They have been over here for a while, after they played Glasgow a few weekends ago, and have been together for several weeks and are a good group. We’re excited to see them on Friday.
“We’re happy to come away with the win (from Zebre) and we’ve reviewed the game and the last ten minutes there are definitely areas to tidy up, both sides of the ball.
“But now it’s all about the Bulls coming to Rodney Parade and we're looking forward to hosting them.
“They are a physical team, they have strengths in terms of their game, but also we've seen opportunities as well.”
Team selection will be confirmed on Thursday lunchtime with Tiatia insisting the battle for places is also hotly contested as ever after several weeks on the road.
“Every week around selection, players are putting their hands up and playing well, so we've had some selection debates,” he said.
“Since I’ve been here, we have looked to grow the group and when you put the jersey on, you need to fill it up.
“You need to play well in it and then hopefully you hold on to the jersey, and you get another opportunity.
“The mantra hasn’t changed – the guys that get the opportunity to wear it, they have got to play well in it. We're trying to form competition within the squad and this week is no different.”
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We celebrated what we did in Europe, but now we are back on the horse in the URC and we have a good Bulls side coming...
