Warriors humiliation hurt us all insists prop Phil Price (From Free Press Series)

Warriors humiliation hurt us all insists prop Phil Price

8:30am Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport By Chris Kirwan

BACK AT PROP: Dragons loosehead Phil Price

ZEBRE v DRAGONS (Sunday, KO 2.05pm)

PROP Phil Price has insisted the ramifications of Newport Gwent Dragons’ drubbing at the hands of Glasgow affect the members of the squad that were stunned on the sidelines as much at those in the middle.

The loosehead returns to the fray against Zebre on Sunday and says the Dragons are all in it together as the bid to fight back from their 60-3 humiliation.

The 24-year-old from Bridgend was left out against the Warriors and watched as his teammates shipped eight tries in a record defeat.

Some might consider it to have been a blessing in disguise to have been left out, yet Price felt the pain as much as those that donned their boots last weekend.

“Even though I wasn’t playing it hurt,” he said. “You do feel for the boys that are on the field because we are a team.

“I don’t think anyone predicted that outcome. It was a shock to us all. It was disappointing and we’ve just got to put it right.

“We need to put it behind us and take things forward but at the same time we can’t forget about it, because it’s motivation to make sure we have a good performance against Zebre.

“I hope that this brings us all together. We have to be tight as a squad, that’s the only way that we are going to get through this and improve.

“We can’t let outside opinions affect us, we are the guys that have the chance to put things right and we are looking forward to Zebre.

“It’s going to be a tough trip but we’re prepared for that.”

Price has made 16 appearances this term but was left out in favour of Owen Evans against Glasgow with Aaron Coundley on the bench.

That was following an under-par display in the win against Treviso – a kick up the backside that the coaching staff will push on a player that they rate highly.

“I was massively disappointed," admitted Price.

"I spoke to (forwards coach) Rob Appleyard and he gave me the reasons why I wasn’t picked – I missed a few tackles that I should have made.

“But I went away, worked hard and come back with a more positive attitude to regain my place and hopefully keep it.”