By David Parsons
Hot on the heels of only their second win of the season, over Oyonnax in the EPCR Challenge Cup, Dai Flanagan’s Dragons have been given another major boost with the return to action of Argentine World Cup scrum half Gonzalo Bertranou.
The 29-year-old was given extra-time to recover from his French exploits, when he helped the Pumas reach the semi-finals before narrowly missing out to England in the Bronze Medal match.
But now he is fit and raring to go and hoping to play a part in the Dragons next European assignment in Pau.
“It’s great news for us that Gonzalo is available again. He is a real competitor and comes back after a good World Cup with Argentina, so he will be keen to make an immediate impression,” said Dragons backs coach, Matt O’Brien.
“The more players of international quality we can have in the building and available to us, the better. We’re strong at nine this season so we hope he can carry on his form with the Pumas with the Dragons.
“We’ll definitely go to Pau with a positive mindset. We expect them to be stronger than they were last weekend, but it’s a great opportunity to express ourselves and see what comes – we’re looking forward to the trip.”
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Given Pay are unbeaten at their stronghold of Stade de Hameau, and have toppled Racing 92, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux-Begles and Stade Francais in the Top 14 at home this season, it is likely to be a tough task for the Welsh region.
But head coach Dai Flanagan knows his players will have a strong reference point in their minds as they make the trip to France after going to the same venue last season and beating Pau 21-15.
“It’s pleasing to have won two games on the bounce at Rodney Parade – you can’t underestimate five points in Europe. We didn’t get a bonus-point win last season,” said Flanagan.
“We’ve got a win on the board ahead of an away game in France against a team who are absolutely flying in the Top 14. Their team is full of superstars with Dan Robson and Joe Simmonds at half-back, Luke Whitelock at eight and I’m sure his brother, Sam, will make his debut against us.
“We need to go there and go full-out on the attack. I want our boys to take belief from that, specifically the last play against Oyonnax when we got Dane Blacker running into space, feeding into the outside backs.”
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