LODGE READY FOR DRAGONS CHALLENGE

By Charlotte Moriarty | 02/08/2012

Second row Craig Lodge is relishing the challenge for Saturday’s crunch opener against the Dragons. (Rodney Parade 4pm)

Second row Craig Lodge is relishing the challenge for Saturday’s crunch opener against the Dragons. (Rodney Parade 4pm)

The Bedwas lock was one of the Premiership players selected to join the region for pre-season training as an opportunity to test himself against the regional players, a test which culminate with the Gwent Select game.

“I’m really looking forward to the game on Saturday. I’ve been training with the boys for a few weeks and I feel it’s a great opportunity to test myself against them.

“It’s a great chance to play against our regional players and to get a good insight into where I am as a player and what potential I have going forward.

“Training’s gone pretty well. I was surprised at how well we all clicked – obviously we all know each other pretty well. On Monday we got into things very quickly and as there’s not a lot of pressure on us – but it’s a great positive opportunity, we will all enjoy putting things into action off the training park. Having a coach from each team meant there’s someone who knows all of us.

“Our moves are all new for the select team so I didn’t have to worry about any Bedwas playing secrets getting to the Cross Keys and Newport boys!

“I’m looking forward to playing against Coombsie (Andrew Coombs). I know he’s a physical guy and we got quite close over the last few weeks so it’ll be good to have a bit of banter as well as testing myself against him.”

The match will be the culmination of the region’s Family Fun Day, which starts at midday and involves a host of activities for kids, a beer festival, live music and an opportunity to meet the Dragons Players.

The Fun day is just £3 per person, to include entry to the match with proceeds going to the Premiership Sides.

Gwent Select 15 squad;
Geraint O’Driscoll (Newport), Kristian Baller (Cross Keys), Alan Awcock (Newport), Ross Wardle (Bedwas), Elliott Frewen (Newport), Richard Powell (Bedwas,); Rhys Downs (Newport);
Rich Cornock (Cross Keys), Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), Kristian Gaye (Bedwas), Dan Hodge (Cross Keys), Craig Lodge (Bedwas), Phil Sargent (Bedwas), Rob Nash (Cross Keys, captain), James Thomas (Bedwas).

Replacements
Rhys Hutchinson (Bedwas), Anthony Lott (Cross Keys), Mark Jones (Cross Keys), Kyle Maiden (Bedwas), Craig Atwell (Newport,), Adam Powell (Cross Keys), Andrew Quick (Newport,), Dean Gunter (Cross Keys), Adam Davies (Newport), Mathew John (Bedwas),

Head Coach – Steve Law (Bedwas)
Backs Coach - John Bryant (Newport)
Forwards Coach - Greg Woods (Cross Keys)

Dragons Team
Daniel Evans, Tom Prydie, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Mike Poole, Steffan Jones; Jonathan Evans;
Aaron Coundley, Hugh Gustafson, Dan Way, Ian Nimmo, Andrew Coombs (captain), Jevon Groves, Darren Waters, Tom Brown.

Replacements
Sam Parry, Nathan Williams, Tim Ryan, Josh Tyler, Hywel Stoddart, Ieuan Jones, Wayne Evans, Lewis Robling, Jack Dixon, Andy Tuilagi

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