AFTER two seasons at the helm, there is no doubt that this is Dai Flanagan’s Dragons.
The head coach has built the squad for 2024/25 and all of them have been signed by the former fly-half or been given a fresh contract.
The boss has also freshened up his coaching staff with Sam Hobbs now in charge of the forwards and, arguably the biggest arrival of the summer, Filo Tiatia on board as right-hand man and defence coach.
It’s essential that the Dragons improve on last season when they won just three games in the United Rugby Championship and also failed to produce the goods in a favourable European Challenge Cup group.
They finished with just Zebre beneath them in the league and, while their budget makes improving that placing a challenge, the gap needs to get smaller at the very least.
The Dragons play four of their first six games at home and the timing of the visits of the South African duo of Sharks and Lions should, in theory, be favourable.
A big first block is essential if Flanagan’s men are to change the narrative and boost morale going into the winter months and the bid for knockout European rugby.
Aaron Wainwright, Rio Dyer, Ben Carter and Taine Basham might be the Dragons' household names but here are three key men if they are to have a strong season…
3: HARRI KEDDIE
What is the Dragons’ strongest back row on paper? Wainwright is a shoo-in at eight when fit while Shane Lewis-Hughes and Ryan Woodman are leading candidates at blindside.
Dynamic Taine Basham will be looking for a better campaign after being hit and miss in 2023/24, Solomone Funaki should add some punch while Ollie Griffiths is quality but has fitness issues.
Then there is Keddie, a man who goes about his business with minimal fuss.
The 28-year-old came through the ranks as a big ball carrier for Wales Under-20s and, though he still trucks it up with gusto, his role has changed.
Keddie’s versatility is key – and he has the rugby brain to adapt accordingly – but Dai Flanagan intends to use him as a ‘modern-day seven’.
He will carry hard, hit destructively and make a nuisance of himself like a Gwent Tom Curry.
Keddie is a class act who, like Lewis Evans before him, looks likely to be in that category of top quality players who just fall short of earning a cap.
If he has a strong season alongside some quality Test back rowers then that might just catch the eye of Warren Gatland.
2: ANEURIN OWEN
The Dragons have good options in midfield with Owen, Steff Hughes, Joe Westwood and summer signing Harry Wilson currently scrapping for starts with Harri Ackerman closing in on a return from a broken leg.
They all have different attributes and Owen provides the ball-playing skills with the ability to make good decisions at the line.
The 23-year-old is an experienced pro now and should profit from what is happening on his inside and outside.
There will be a battle at 10 with Lloyd Evans sharing the load with Will Reed after arriving from Gloucester while Westwood, Wilson and Ackerman are all strong-running options for the 13 jersey.
Owen is almost a forgotten man when people talk about the blow of Wales losing Joe Hawkins, who hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at Exeter, as a contender for the 12 jersey.
The Dragons centre was called up by Wayne Pivac in the summer of 2021 and is another with the talent to push for Test honours.
1: LEON BROWN
If the Dragons get their tighthead into double figures for appearances then they will have a strong campaign.
Management is key when it comes to Brown – he will feature prominently against the Ospreys but there seems little point in taking him to Leinster.
The 27-year-old has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons but is a Test-quality prop when on his game.
He showed that when up against strong-scrummaging Springbok Ox Nche in January only to then get injured against Scotland in the Six Nations opener.
Brown’s best recent season was in 2019/20 when he reacted to World Cup disappointment by making 17 strong club outings to force his way back into the Test fold.
He won’t rack up that many games in the coming campaign.
The Dragons will have a plan for using Brown wisely, no doubt with an emphasis on home games and derbies. The prop deserves a change of luck.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel