Dragons chief in selection pledge
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Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan has promised to pick the “best team possible” for the Welsh team’s remaining EPCR Challenge Cup pool games this month as he grapples with a series of injuries.
They currently lie in the final knockout qualification slot in Pool B, after drawing 31-31 at Emirates Lions and losing 27-21 at home to Section Paloise, and now face the reverse fixtures on the next two weekends.
Dragons could be bolstered by the return of Wales lock Ben Carter after an ankle injury for the trip to Pau on Friday, but Flanagan will also consider the game time of other players as he looks to cope with the second block of Challenge Cup fixtures.
“We will pick the best team that we can,” he said. “I’ve some youngsters that I need to bring through, but we also want to win every game we play.
“Ben will be touch and go. If it’s not Pau, then the week after against the Lions, and he is important for us because he is a big man.”
Guess who’s back…
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 9, 2023
Here’s the lie of the land heading into #ChallengeCupRugby R3 this weekend ⬇️ https://t.co/JjPPmldGIp
One player who will not travel to France is full-back Angus O’Brien after he suffered two concussions in three weeks.
“He is fine in himself, but it’s a decision that I am making more than him,” Flanagan said.
