Filo Tiatia has acknowledged that his Dragons are looking forward to returning home and ‘representing Gwent’ as the BKT United Rugby Championship returns to Newport on Saturday.
After the epic late draw with Benetton, the Men of Gwent face a derby with Scarlets at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).
Tiatia admits all derby fixtures are ‘personal’ with staff and players familiar with each other.
But his focus remains on his players as they bid to take the learnings form the draw in Italy and make it a successful homecoming this weekend.
“We've got Scarlets this week and we are looking forward to hosting them at Rodney Parade and getting our community and fans along to the game. We're looking forward to representing Gwent,” stated the Head Coach.
“The players are looking forward to the game. They are special games to be involved in, and the boys are excited. “
The players know each other well, the coaching staff know each other well, so it's a personal game.
“We take some learnings from Benetton and now it is about how we move forward against a good side in Scarlets.”
Last season the Dragons emerged 2805 winners on New Year’s Day.
But Tiatia believes that result will have little bearing against a quality Scarlets side that shows changes from last term.
“Last season is last season. How we move forward is being clear on things that we want to achieve as a group, and we are very clear on that,” he added.
“It was one of our better performances, but they're a different team this year as well and they have some players coming back.
“We’re under no illusion of the quality that's coming to Rodney Parade, and it's going to be good scrap.”
We've got Scarlets this week and we are looking forward to hosting them at Rodney Parade and getting our community and fans along to the game. We're looking forward to representing Gwent...
