NEW recruit Steve Cummins is confident that the Dragons can have the talent and ambition to ‘flip’ sob stories into successes in the coming season.
The Australian lock is touch and go for the United Rugby Championship opener against the Ospreys on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) because of a hand injury suffered in pre-season.
Whether the 32-year-old is out in the middle or watching on from the stands, he is confident that the Dragons have the ability to get the campaign off to a flying start.
Cummins is no stranger to Welsh rugby having spent three seasons with the Scarlets while he has also seen his new teammates in action in Europe when with Pau.
That gives the Aussie the belief that the Dragons can turn around their fortunes from last season, when they won just three URC games and only had Zebre beneath them in the table.
“I hated playing against the Dragons because they were always a side ready to go to war, especially up front,” he said.
“The back row has always been strong and hard on the ball, they have been physical and they have been toilers.
“Looks at the likes of [Wales summer tourists] Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Aaron Wainwright, Rio Dyer – the talent is there and so is the ambition.
“Speaking to Dai Flanagan made it clear that it’s not a huge distance between where the Dragons are and winning.
“In the Challenge Cup with Pau we beat them twice by less than a score, so this is a good side and I believe things could flip.”
Cummins was given the chance to link up with the Dragons in the second week of pre-season because of his longer 2023/24 in the Top 14.
He turned that down to muck in from day one and has liked what he has seen on the training fields in Treforest and Ystrad Mynach.
“It’s been a really tough pre-season and seeing all the other guys working so hard builds confidence and trust,” he said.
“I already feel really strongly a part of the team. I am confident and feel like we will start the season well. We have done the work, that’s for sure.
“The first game wont make or break anyone’s season but it is important to get off to a good start, especially playing in front of a home crowd.”
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