Paul Turner is in line for the perfect Christmas present – a near full strength squad to chose from for the first time this season.
The Dragons face Cardiff Blues on Monday 27th December in the first of the Magners League festive derby fixtures and Turner finally has the strength in depth he has been waiting for.
Captain Tom Willis who has made just five starts this season after struggling with rib and knee injuries is expected to return, so is influencial fly-half Jason Tovey who have recovered from a knee injury.
Wales pair Luke Charteris and Dan Lydiate should be passed fit to start after both taking a part in last weekend’s Heineken Cup defeat away to London Wasps.
“We will be picking from strength and the vast majority of our players will be available,” rugby manager Robert Beale told the South Wales Argus.
“The biggest threat will be a flu virus which is going around. Will Harries hadn’t recovered sufficiently to play on Sunday and a few of the players are not well.
“But Jason and Tom should be okay and Luke is fine, it was planned that he had only 40 minutes. And Ashley Smith went off late on because we wanted to have a look at Adam Hughes at 13 (his favourite position).
The Dragons will be looking for their first victory over bitter rivals the Blues since 2006 and Beale believes the squad will put last weekend’s disappointment behind them.
“I don’t think this will have any bearing on the way we play in those two games,” he added.
“The focus will now be very much on the Blues game which we believe we are capable of winning.”
