AFTER wearing my coaching hat for Munster last weekend, I've put my playing one back on for tomorrow's Guinness PRO14 trip to Glasgow.

I've been involved with the Dragons Under-18s so far this season, working with head coach Matt O'Brien and forwards coach Sam Hobbs, and things have gone really well in the first block in the WRU Regional Championship with four wins out of four.

While nursing a bit of a knee niggle it was good to utilise my time and enjoy another experience last week as part of James Chapron's management team for the Celtic Cup game against Munster A in Cork.

I was in a forwards coach role and it was odd to get on a plane without my boots for once.

Being in the stands and watching the game from on high is obviously totally different to being in the thick of it and so is the preparation.

From midday there is not much more you can do because I know as a player the last thing you need is last-minute input and interference, it's just about the little touches.

I have always enjoyed coaching and have been doing it for around nine years now, whether it being with Gwent districts, Dragons age-grade or Newport in the Premiership. I've always wanted to go into it, so these opportunities are great.

However, my focus has all been about playing this week after getting the call-up for Glasgow and I know that I have to take my chances when they come this season because of the back row competition and depth, something I've talked about before.

Rotating individuals and keeping them fresh will be vital for the squad this year and those of us that come in know that we have to back up what the boys did in a good win against Zebre.

I helped them prep for that game when wearing my coaching hat because the A team go up against the seniors in training on Tuesday and Wednesday. This time I was up against our youngsters as we get ready for Glasgow and they put things in place for Ulster A.

We head to Scotstoun knowing that we are going to face a backlash after they were beaten by the Southern Kings in South Africa last weekend.

After we lost in Port Elizabeth last year I think a few of us would have been thinking 'I told you so' because we know just how dangerous they can be.

It was still a shock result for Glasgow but it was only a matter of time before the Kings got a big scalp; they aren't the best team in the league yet they have threats, are dangerous and have the individuals to hurt teams.

It's typical of our luck that they managed to get that big result against a team that we face next but we head to Glasgow in confident mood and determined to put in a big performance ahead of the Cardiff Blues derby.

Changes have been made to the side but there is plenty of experience in our squad and we all know that we have to take these opportunities if we are to stay in the matchday 23.