By David Williams
Dean Ryan expects the Ospreys to be pumped up and firing as they step on to the field on Sunday for their first game under new head coach Toby Booth.
The Dragons boss has banished any thoughts in his camp about the game being a meaningless exercise for the home side. There may not be Guinness Pro 14 play-off places at stake, but it is a Welsh derby.
“I saw first-hand the passion that comes with a Welsh derby game last season and I don’t expect to get an easy ride from the Ospreys in what will be Toby’s first game in charge,” said Ryan.
“He’s an innovative coach who is always looking for new ideas. On Sunday he’ll be looking for a win from his new team.”
The Ospreys managed only two wins and a draw in 13 Pro 14 outings prior to lockdown. That led to a parting of the ways with previous head coach Allen Clarke and the recruitment of Booth.
Ryan came in and revolutionised the Dragons after taking over last season and, with the addition of Welsh internationals Nick Tompkins, Jonah Holmes and Jamie Roberts, they will re-start far stronger than when they went into lockdown.
“It is a huge relief to be starting up again after such a long period without a game,” he added. “When we first went back into training there were no guarantees about when we might be able to play again and now everyone just wants to get on with it.
“It has been a really strange time for everyone and Sunday will present a new challenge to the players. We’ve all watched the English Premiership sides playing in empty stadiums and now it’s our turn to go through that experience.
“We just want to get out on the field and find out where we are. We’ve got these two games to use to build-up to our European Challenge Cup quarter-final.
“We have integrated some new players and, hopefully, over the coming weeks we will get sight of those. The derby matches will be stepping-stones towards that game in Bristol.”
As well as the games coming up to look forward to, Ryan and his players can also cast their minds forward to being back in the Heineken Champions Cup once again next season. That is challenge the head coach says all his players are relishing.
“Last season was good experience for the squad, although bruising at times. It is a huge buzz for the players to be able to think about playing against the best teams in the English Premiership and the French Top 14 next season,” added Ryan.
“They want that kind of challenge and they can’t wait for it. We are going to have a ball in Europe next season and the Champions Cup is where we all want the Dragons to be playing.
“It is going to be fantastic fun and it means we will be playing against the best sides in Europe.”
