Holmes ideal for the summer Tests, says Dragons chief Ryan
DEAN Ryan believes Dragons back Jonah Holmes made a big statement of intent to Wales head coach Wayne Pivac with a man-of-thematch display against Scarlets.
The men from Rodney Parade return to Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup action with a clash with Cardiff Blues in the Welsh capital on Sunday.
Their last game saw Holmes score two of his team’s seven tries in a 52-32 hammering of the Scarlets in Newport – a result which saw the Dragons play some scintillating attacking rugby.
Pivac was in the Rodney Parade stands to watch and Ryan believes Holmes can play a big role in this summer’s Wales fixtures.
The British & Irish Lions are expected to name several Welshmen in their squad for the summer tour to South Africa tomorrow.
It means Wales, who are anticipating Argentina travelling over in the months to come, will be without their leading lights. Holmes could be one of the men to benefit.
“Jonah has been working really hard in the background,” said Ryan.
“This summer of all summers is a chance to have a look at a wider group of players. He’s physical and fast. I don’t know how much more you need.
“There are some decent wingers in Wales, but if people are going to be away then I think he’s someone worth looking at.
“Our attack has opened up and Jonah isn’t someone who gets particularly excited chasing the ball all day.
“Let’s remember in December and January, Newport was a tough place to play. To play like we did
against Scarlets then would have been suicide. We found that out in Connacht.
“We lost there because we tried to play too much. As our game has come alive, it’s given more of a chance to the more experienced players.”
Holmes made his Wales debut in November 2018 when he was still on the books of Leicester Tigers. He now has a total of five caps, but has always been on the fringes of the Test side.
Ryan hopes giving him a licence to play at the Dragons can help his international chances.
“We’ve been really comfortable with our attacking game for the last few months now – even going back as far as the game with Leinster,” said the director of Dragons.
“I think over the derbies with the loss of Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies we went into our shells a little bit. Gonzalo Bertranou has helped open that up, put pressure on Rhodri, and suddenly our attacking game has been a really big part of what we’re trying to do.
“Against the Scarlets we constructed some good tries, but then gave them something cheap in return. That’s the balance we have to learn, but we have to learn by trying.”