Co-captain Angus O’Brien challenged Dragons to use the European semi-final defeat to Montpellier to fuel their desire to really kick on next season.
The Men of Gwent saw their European bid end in the last four of the EPCR Challenge Cup with a battling 18-12 loss at Top14 high fliers Montpellier.
Dragons can take huge heart from the manner of defeat in France as they pushed top seeds Montpellier all the way in a dramatic conclusion at Septeo Stadium.
And O’Brien wants the game to inspire Dragons to more success in Europe and the BKT United Rugby Championship next term.
“Ultimately, we have come away to Montpellier, and we are bitterly disappointed that we are not in the final in a couple of weeks,” said O’Brien.
“The growth in the group has been massive this year and the European competition has really given us an opportunity to build momentum the back end of the season.
“We want more days like this – we don’t want to wait another ten years, and we’ve shown we can compete with all these top European clubs. “We have got to use this day as fuel to really challenge next year.”
Dragons complete the home domestic season this coming Saturday evening as they welcome Edinburgh to Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.45pm).
“We want to finish the season strong with Edinburgh and Scarlets to come,” added O’Brien. “It’s a massively important week coming up to make sure we finish well and there is an opportunity to try and climb the table and get more points in the URC.”
Dragons were roared on by a partisan travelling support in Montpellier and O’Brien paid tribute to the fanbase who again turned up in big numbers.
“It was a special moment with the fans at the end,” he said, reflecting on the impromptu team photo with supporters at the end of the game.
“They have been amazing all year and to see so many of them come over to Montpellier this weekend has been huge. It means so much to us as a squad of players and staff to have that backing.
“They were amazing throughout the whole 80 minutes, we could hear them, and we are just gutted we didn’t give them one more away trip to Bilbao.
“We appreciate all the support we’ve had all season and now we are looking forward to seeing everyone back at Rodney Parade on Saturday.”
Watch Dragons tackle Edinburgh this Saturday at Rodney Parade. Click HERE to buy online or call the Ticket Office team this week (Tues-Fri, 9am - 4pm) on 01633 670690.
The fans were amazing throughout the whole 80 minutes, we could hear them, and we are just gutted we didn’t give them one more away trip to Bilbao...
