ANEURIN Owen might be a ball-playing centre key to the Dragons’ recent success with strike plays but he also wants to be a big-hitter to make new defence coach Filo Tiatia proud.

Owen has enjoyed a strong first block of the United Rugby Championship in the 12 jersey and is looking to add more physicality.

As a former fly-half in age-grade rugby, the 23-year-old from Newport is a classy operator but he needs to also do the direct stuff in order to put himself in the mix for Test honours.

Uncapped Owen, who was called up by Wales for the 2021 summer internationals, is aiming to run hard and make strong interventions in the 12 channel.

“In attack I am looking to get my hands on the ball as much as I can and I’m not afraid of the contact and trying to give go-forward,” he said.

“Defensively I have done a lot of work with Filo and he has been class. He has a really big presence and demands a lot but he has also been great for the culture and bringing people together.

“Our defence has improved massively since last season and we are getting better every week. The biggest thing with Filo is that I don’t want to let him down whenever I play.”

INFLUENTIAL: Dragons centre Aneurin Owen has impressed in the 12 jersey (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Owen was agonisingly close to being the defensive hero at the death against the Sharks when his read disrupted the South Africans’ attack.

The ball bounced backwards and hefty hooker Fez Mbatha crashed over to steal the spoils.

The Dragons, who host Benetton on Saturday night, have had to settle for consolation bonuses from a pair of Rodney Parade meetings with South African heavyweights.

“We are getting really close and feel like we are doing good stuff,” said Owen. “The squad is in a really good place mentally because we are in games but it’s just those small moments.

“Hopefully we can turn these results around because we feel that we have a really good foundation to our game – our forwards have been excellent and we have some exciting backs.

“This season I feel that we are much fitter than previous seasons and the accuracy is starting to come, it’s just those small moments.

“Everyone in this group – players, coaches, staff – is working hard to get those wins and we feel that we are not far away. We just need to stay tight.

“There have been so many positives in the last four games but it’s just marrying it with being precise in those key moments.

We will take the learnings for a six-day turnaround and go again to try and get the result because it’s about winning, we know that.”

CARRY: Dragons centre Aneurin Owen in action against the SharksCARRY: Dragons centre Aneurin Owen in action against the Sharks (Image: Gareth Everett)

There are just two weeks left until Owen will suddenly become the Dragons’ senior centre at the age of 23 courtesy of Steff Hughes leaving for Washington DC and Major League Rugby.

Boss Dai Flanagan has labelled Owen as “future Steff” and the homegrown back, who has made 54 appearances, will aim to show leadership.

“I’ve played over 50 games and there’s only so long that you can keep calling yourself a youngster,” said Owen, who is a midfield option along with the up-and-coming pair of Joe Westwood and Harri Ackerman, new Aussie Harry Wilson and winger Jared Rosser.

“I feel very established in the squad and I am trying to drive things when I feel that I can add value, especially surrounding the back line.

“Steff has been great off the field with leadership and the way that he has brought the team together and he has been a great player as well.

“Good luck to him while the rest of us will keep driving each other on, we still have lots of competition.”

The Dragons host Benetton on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) then finish the first block of the URC away to Connacht.