Match Preview – Dragons

A
comfortable 56-24 win over Zebre last Friday saw the Warriors return to
Guinness PRO14 action in style, as George Horne and debutant Mesu Dolokoto each
grabbed two of the club’s eight tries on the night.

The focus
for Rennie and company will now be on backing up that bonus-point win on
Saturday night, as they continue their pursuit of a place in the 2019/20 Final
Series.

However,
with the Dragons having taken the first meeting between the two sides in
Newport back in October there will be no danger of the Warriors underestimating
their visitors this weekend.

Tickets for Saturday night’s match are still available – click here to secure your seat at Scotstoun

Here’s how
the two sides are shaping up ahead of this weekend:

Dragons
form guide

Dean Ryan’s
side currently sits fifth in Conference A, with four wins and six defeats from
their campaign thus far.

A
disappointing defeat away to Munster opened the season in disappointing fashion
for the Dragons, before a Jordan Williams-inspired 52-28 victory away to Zebre
served notice of their capabilities in emphatic fashion.

October’s
win over the Warriors at Rodney Parade saw them bounce back from defeat in
Galway in style, but it would be December before Ryan’s men claimed another Guinness
PRO14 victory as defeats to Leinster, Edinburgh and Zebre preceded the festive
derbies.

Home wins
over the Scarlets and the Ospreys sandwiched defeat at Cardiff Arms Park,
before last weekend’s meeting with Benetton in Newport was postponed due to
Storm Dennis.

Off-season
farewells

Wales
international Hallam Amos was the biggest name to depart Rodney Parade at the
end of the 2018/19 season, with the winger making the switch to regional rivals
Cardiff Blues.

Fly-half
Jason Tovey followed Amos to the Arms Park in the off-season, whilst
experienced second-row Rynard Landman linked up with French outfit Montauban.

A brace of
experienced internationals also departed the club after deciding to hang up the
boots for a final time; 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning full-back Zane Kirchner
and Wales centre Gavin Henson bade farewell to the Newport faithful at the end
of last season.

New
arrivals

New director
of rugby Ryan was arguably the headline arrival over the summer, with the
former England number eight joining the Welsh side after a three-year spell at
the RFU.

On the pitch
Wales fly-half Sam Davies has proved to be a shrewd acquisition from the
Ospreys, currently sitting third in the Guinness PRO14 points-scoring chart
this season.

Scrum-half Luke
Baldwin was also recruited on a season-long loan from Worcester Warriors,
providing depth and competition for places in the half-backs.

Ones to watch

The Warrior
Nation will be wary of the threat possessed by Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt,
who routinely provides an attacking spark for the Welsh side. Called into the
Wales squad for last year’s non-capped match against the Barbarians, the
25-year-old will be looking to remain in the thoughts of national coach Wayne
Pivac.

First capped
by Wales ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, centre Tyler Morgan has endured a
tough run of injuries in the four years since that tournament. However, the
24-year-old has enjoyed an impressive return to form over the last year, providing
a potent threat in the midfield.

Having
touched down five times already this season, Taine Basham leads the Welshmen
for tries scored this season. The 21-year-old flanker has also caught the eye
of the Welsh selectors this season, with many observers believing it to be just
a matter of time before he dons the red jersey.

Previous
encounters

It was first
blood to the Dragons when the two sides met in Newport earlier this season,
with the Welsh outfit claiming an 18-5 victory at Rodney Parade.

Tries from
Basham and Hewitt were enough for the home side on that occasion, Huw Jones’
late try proving a mere consolation for the Warriors.

It was
Glasgow that emerged victorious on the Dragons’ most recent visit to Scotstoun,
however, claiming a 29-13 win back in September 2013.

Huw Jones
crossed for a brace of tries on that occasion, with namesake Lee and Oli Kebble
joining the centre in crossing the whitewash.

Match
officials

Irish
referee Sean Gallagher will be the man in the middle on Saturday night, having
previously taken charge of Glasgow’s 17-13 win over Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun
earlier this season.

Ian Kenny
and Oisin Quinn will be his assistants, whilst Leo Colgan will be ready if
called upon as the TMO.

Tickets

Tickets are
still available for Saturday night’s all-Conference A encounter – be sure to
secure your seat here.