by Nathan Parker
THE Dragons will be looking to secure their first victory at home this season as they take on Glasgow Warriors at Rodney Parade.
The ‘Men of Gwent’ have lost two of the opening three games, with the solitary victory over Zebre the only shining light.
The Warriors make it a hat trick of games against the Welsh regions this weekend, after dispatching the Blues last time out and losing at home 25-21 to the Scarlets on matchday two.
If the Dragons have any chance of defeating their Scottish counterparts, then they are going to have to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and ‘get better’, according to Director of Rugby Dean Ryan.
After their 38-14 defeat to Connacht Ryan told the club’s website, “We can’t hide from it. Sometimes we can be smarter and stay away from things.”
With just over twenty players away on international duty from either side, Glasgow will be boosted by the return of Canadian winger DTH Van Der Merwe and Fijian flyer Niko Matawalu.
With the likes of Hallam Amos, Elliot Dee and Ross Moriarty all thriving at the World Cup in Japan, the Dragons hope to welcome back flanker Ollie Griffiths and South African prop Brok Harris who have both been injured.
“We are pretty sure that Ollie is back on deck and that week has been great for Brok. It would be huge to have Ollie back because he was in great form – his presence and his calming influence is key,” said Ryan.
The last time the two sides faced each other was at Scotstoun in September 2018 where the Warriors came out on top 29-13.
On the bench that day was scrum half Rhodri Williams, who has been a key figure in the team since signing from Bristol, and the 26-year old has targeted a reaction against the Warriors.
“We have to be open to learn from those mistakes (against Connacht) and front up on Review,” he said.
The match at Rodney Parade kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday 26th October.