Dean Ryan: Dragons' Wales stars helped young guns shine

The Dragons got the six-round competition under way with a remarkable 12-try derby clash with the Scarlets on Sunday afternoon.

They scored seven of them in the bonkers 52-32 success with Wales internationals Jonah Holmes and Aaron Wainwright grabbing doubles to go along with efforts by Jordan Williams, Rio Dyer and Aneurin Owen.

It was an encouraging start to the Rainbow Cup with a glut of young Dragons prospects – wing Dyer, centre Owen, lock Ben Carter, props Josh Reynolds and Chris Coleman, fly-half/full-back Evan Lloyd and scrum-half Dan Babos – getting the chance to shine.

25.04.21 Dragons v Scarlets, Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup - Jonah Holmes of Dragons races in to score try

However, the foundation of the success was provided by the man of the match Holmes, influential back rowers Wainwright and Ross Moriarty and half-backs Rhodri Williams and Sam Davies, all of them internationals.

Ryan’s big players delivered while the Scarlets’ high-profile contingent, which featured Lions hopeful Jonathan Davies and lock Jake Ball, were underwhelming.

“What we set out for the Rainbow Cup is that quality senior performances will create real positive development experiences for the youngsters,” said the director of rugby.

“That’s what we challenged the senior players to do. It’s not a positive experience if they don’t come in and be a role model about what it looks like to be at the top.

“It’s been well-written about the Rainbow Cup shifting about what it is [after the cancellation of clashes with South African sides] but for us it has been quite clear.

“Senior players will play and we expect them to play at a level their status warrants, that is then a really positive experience for a youngster to see. They can respond and it becomes a clearer picture for them.”

25.04.21 Dragons v Scarlets, Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup - Aneurin Owen of Dragons races in to score try

Ryan’s plan had to change early in the second half when 23-year-old winger Jared Rosser, in his first game at outside centre, and full-back Jordan Williams were forced off through injury.

That led to Lloyd, who has backed up Sam Davies while Josh Lewis is on the comeback trail from an ankle injury, having an early introduction at 15.

The 21-year-old sparked Rio Dyer’s try with a cute grubber kick and then put Owen over for his first senior try.

“I was a bit disappointed that we had to shuffle the deck because that changed where we thought Evan was going on and I wanted to see more of Jared,” said Ryan.

“But it worked in the same way because Evan got some really nice touches and then Dan Babos came on at 9 and allowed Sam to stay and steer things.”

The one negative was the loss through injury of captain Rhodri Williams after the scrum-half suffered an injury to his left shoulder when attempting to score in the corner.

25.04.21 Dragons v Scarlets, Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup - Rhodri Williams of Dragons is tackled by Johnny McNicholl of Scarlets as he dives for the corner

He was denied by an excellent Johnny McNicholl tackle and landed heavily on the side of the pitch where there is artificial grass.

“I am hoping it’s not serious but I don’t think anybody is surprised it’s not 4G under the astroturf! I’d imagine it’s a pretty solid landing,” said Ryan.

Williams left the ground without any strapping and he has a few weeks to recover with the Dragons not travelling to Cardiff until a week on Sunday, when the plan is for Argentina international Gonzalo Bertranou to feature at 9.

The Dragons, Benetton, Ospreys and Connacht all recorded bonus point wins while Munster and Edinburgh also enjoyed successes.

The fixtures for rounds three to six are yet to be announced after the withdrawal of the South African sides.