ANGUS O’Brien would give his right arm for a repeat of the Dragons’ opening weekend result when they take on Irish heavyweights Leinster in Dublin.
The Rodney Parade club head to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 7.35pm) with the intention of building on their dramatic 23-21 derby win against the Ospreys.
Even if they don’t upset the odds – and they are big outsiders – the intention is to produce a display that builds momentum for three games on home soil against the Sharks, Lions and Benetton.
O’Brien will be in the thick of the action after starring against the Ospreys from full-back, making an accomplished start to the season after an injury-hit 2023/24.
The Dragons badly missed the 30-year-old from Caerleon after he suffered a broken right arm against Munster in November, then suffering another break further down the same limb in February.
O'Brien had a majestic 2022/23 - showing form that was worthy of him being a Wales contender - but was limited to just four appearances last season.
“It was a very frustrating season last year, coming back, getting injured, coming back, getting injured, but that’s rugby,” said O'Brien, who no longer plays with the arm guard he wore on his initial return.
“I’m so happy to be back and it was a great first game back, beating Ospreys at home, and the way in which we won was amazing.
“I saw that we hadn't won our first league game since 2013, so it’s great that all the hard work of pre-season came together and the way we won is such a big confidence booster for the boys.”
The Dragons looked to be doomed when trailing by eight points in the closing stages and down to 14 men because of James Benjamin’s yellow card.
They held firm, moved back into striking distance with a penalty, got hooker Benjamin back and then flew into the Ospreys with the clock in the red.
Replacement tighthead Luke Yendle crashed over on the 26th phase of the attack and Lloyd Evans’ conversion earned the spoils, allowing O'Brien to celebrate with sons Toby and Archie on the field afterwards.
“Fighting right to the death is massively positive and a big confidence boost, knowing we can be in the fight, and we can go on and get the result. It was massive for us as a group,” said the full-back, who had never beaten the Ospreys with the Dragons before.
“You’ve got to enjoy that victory from the weekend, but we've got a massive challenge ahead of us now against Leinster.
“There are areas we need to improve, we know that, so it’s straight back on the job and a great opportunity for us at Leinster to try and build some momentum.”
Irish sides, no doubt with a Gaelic football influence, are strong in the kicking game and that means O’Brien will be to the fore, with plenty of ground to cover in the grand surroundings of the Aviva Stadium.
However, he will also look to build on a promising partnership with fly-half Evans after they shared the playmaking duties against the Ospreys.
O’Brien was heavily involved when directing traffic for the last-gasp winner while Evans, a summer signing from Gloucester, wasn’t afraid to carry hard and then let his fellow 10/15 step up.
“Lloyd’s been a really good signing for us, a good addition. We see the game quite similarly and we have good conversations. It’s the same with Will [Reed] and Cai [Evans],” said O’Brien.
“The four of us have a good relationship and I try and help as much as I can from 15 to take a little bit of pressure off the 10s by stepping up as first receiver, or through my communication.
“Lloyd has settled in really well and that’s exciting for us.”
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