YOU don't have to tell new director of rugby David Rees that the expectations of supporters and officials of Newport Rugby Club are always high - after all, he used to play for the club.
If anything, they will be higher than ever this season for the Black and Ambers were inaugural winners of the new Welsh Premier Division last season and fans will expect them to emulate that success.
Rees, also co-ordinator in charge of the Newport Gwent Dragons Academy and Dragons skills coach, is well aware of this and aware that, after ten successful seasons in charge at Cross Keys, he joins Newport in a no win situation.
But he says he will not dilute the values he instilled at Pandy Park and though he expects his new-look side to once again challenge strongly for the title, he remains adamant that the emphasis remains on developing players for the future, hopefully to the ultimate benefit of the regional side.
"I am now involved in rugby full-time and I am able to spend a lot more time on quality coaching and analysis and in providing the right environment for the players," said Rees.
"It's important to try to emulate last season, but we have moved into a new era with regional rugby and while I have aspirations to maintain Newport's success and the players brought in have taken the burden on of trying to follow-up last season's title triumph, development is a priority.
"We have a completely new look here this season (the 25-man squad contains 15 new faces) and the quality, mainly young players brought-in aspire to regional rugby and know the only way to achieve that is if we are winning and they are at the top of their game.
"Regional rugby has now settled down to a certain extent and people are beginning to understand where the Premier Division fits into the overall strategic development of the game in Wales.
"Fewer foreign players and fewer professional regions means that this season the Premier will be stronger than ever with teams like Llanelli, Cardiff and Swansea all the stronger as they bid to ensure the players feed through to the region.
"In this respect, supporters sometimes have to be patient for success and there may be times this season where we have to be patient with the under-21 players we have got.
"We have got to be careful about not over-focusing on winning."
Rees believes the relegation of three teams at the end of the season will add spice and competitiveness to the campaign but he promises to continue to play expansive rugby.
"If anything, with the pace and ability within the squad we are maybe in a position where we can even be more expansive than last season," he said.
"But we also have an experienced spine and that is important and I believe we will be good enough to be up their challenging again."
Rees added: "People have been asking if their will be changes at Newport and the answer is 'yes,' primarily in the development of players. I believe that's one of my important remits.
"But I will be putting teams out to win matches and to try to win the league while being mindful that I have 25 players (quite a small squad) who want to play.
"I am also well aware that Newport were unbeaten at home last season and that if we are going to win the league again we have to maintain that record.
"I am also aware that as champions, every side will be out to beat us and particularly the Gwent clubs.
"I know from my experience at Cross Keys that it is not difficult to motivate players against Newport but now the shoe is on the other foot.
"From that perspective, it will not be an easy opening game of the season at home to Pontypool on Saturday, but I am looking forward to it and to an exciting season."
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