Backs Coach Matt O’Brien praised an evening of positives as Dragons RFC revved up for the new season with a thumping 80-14 victory over Scarlets in pre-season at Llandovery.
The Men of Gwent ran in 12 tries – including 61 unanswered second half points – to wrap up a massive victory at Church Bank.
More good news saw scrum half Che Hope and prop Robert Hunt make successful comebacks as the new BKT United Rugby Championship season gets ever closer.
“It was good to get some boys back up to match fitness and get a couple of boys back from injury – that is really pleasing,” he said.
“It was great to see Rob and Che back and it was important for them to get a hit out before the season starts.
“Ultimately, it’s also good to go up against somebody other than yourselves, which we have been doing for the last eight to ten weeks.
“Boys got minutes, a lot of the young guys got to play over the last two weeks which has been pleasing, and it’s always good to have a hit out.”
Reflecting on where the squad are after two pre-season games, O’Brien added: “We are happy with where we are currently.
"We’ve had two good results in the two games, and we will have an opposed session this week against one of the Premiership sides in England. That will be another good marker for us and a chance to go against somebody else.
“There was some nice stuff, both sides of the ball. Our set piece also worked well. It’s a good step forward, but plenty to improve on still.”
O’Brien also praised the number of youngsters who took the chance to impress in the friendly fixture.
He said: “We’ve got a lot of good youngsters in the region, and it was great to see that on show and some Scarlets youngsters get some minutes tonight also.
“We’re happy with how some of our young guys are tracking and it was good to see them get on the score sheet and express themselves.
“Credit to the guys in our Academy who are doing some great work. Hopefully those guys keep making that step up to the first team.”
We’ve had two good results in the two games, and we will have an opposed session this week against one of the Premiership sides in England. That will be another good marker for us and a chance to go against somebody else...
