Coach Jones calls for passionate support for Dragons
FORMER Ebbw Vale coach and current Dragons forwards coach Ceri Jones has called for passionate support ahead of the Guinness Pro14 match against Edinburgh at Eugene Cross Park.
Ceri Jones joined Ebbw Vale as forwards coach in February 2015, before stepping up to regional level with the Dragons after 18 months with the Steelmen, following a stint with Worcester Warriors. Jones enjoyed a s uccessful spell at Eugene Cross Park as the Steelmen lifted the Principality Premiership.
“I had a fabulous time coaching up there,” said Dragons forwards coach Ceri Jones. “My dad played up there for many a year and it really is the epitome of Gwent Rugby. There is such passionate support up there of the Dragons and also full supporters of Ebbw Vale.”
Jones has called for passionate support once again when the Dragons take on Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh team.
“They’ll obviously get behind this match and I’m sure we’re going to have a huge support on the day I can’t wait to see the support up there.”
“It’s massive to see the professional game back at Eugene Cross Park and I am very much looking forward to going back there because on a personal note they have given me nothing but support when I was there.
“With the level of rugby players that will be coming up to Ebbw Vale it is nice for them to have professional sport back in their home patch.
“It’s huge for the region we are doing this – taking a regional league game around the county.
“I can’t see anyone else in Wales doing that and it is something that we really want to embrace.
“We want to embrace the whole region and get everyone behind us and raise that belief in us, and get everyone to buy in to what we are doing.”
Eugene Cross Park won’t be unfamiliar territory for the Dragons as they took on Glasgow last August at the ground in a pre-season friendly and a number of players have played for the club.
Jones doesn’t expect the Dragons’ preparations to differ too much from a normal home game.
“Obviously we will be doing most of our training at Ystrad, but part of our training base will be up at Ebbw Vale.
“[We will train in Ebbw Vale] probably for a full day on the Tuesday, and then hopefully get on the pitch for the team run as well and, like I said, all the players are really looking forward to it.”
There will be an open training session on Tuesday, February 20 at Eugene Cross Park, and Jones feels this can only benefit the Dragons.
He said: “That’s going to give us a huge boost. We are very open at Ystrad as well.
“I’m sure there will be a good support up there for the open training session and when you can see people around us and buying in to it, as a whole group it ups the standards.”
The Dragons open training session at Eugene Cross Park is on Tuesday, February 20, from 1pm2.30pm.
As well as meeting the players there will be kids activities, with rugby skills, the chance to meet Rodney as well as a free Tshirt giveaway.