Eire and Lions star Bundee Aki has been handed a suspension and can miss Six Nations matches.
Bundee Aki has been handed a suspension from rugby. (Picture: Getty)
Listed here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, January 29.
Bundee Aki will miss the beginning of Eire’s Six Nations marketing campaign. (Picture: Getty Pictures)
The 31-year-old full-back has been instrumental within the Dragons’ enhanced fortunes, with the area triumphing in 4 of their earlier seven fixtures throughout all competitions and claiming dropping bonus factors in two extra encounters.
O’Brien has emerged as one of many excellent Welsh performers this marketing campaign, mixing inventive affect with an efficient tactical kicking strategy.
Final weekend appeared set to ship that elusive away success, with the Dragons holding a 20-7 benefit over Munster halfway by means of the second interval at Thomond Park. But two late scores from substitute No 8 Gavin Coombes enabled the Irish province to assert a 22-20 triumph.
“It looks like one which obtained away,” O’Brien confessed. “To narrowly miss out like that hurts. We have been unfortunate to not get the win.
“To exit to Munster isn’t simple, however we might have received that sport. I feel that simply exhibits the place we’re as a bunch.”
Regardless of the setback in Cork, O’Brien reckons morale inside the squad is constructing momentum swiftly, highlighting a pivotal second from earlier this season.
“Because the win towards Lyon in Europe, you’ll be able to see us rising in confidence,” he mentioned. “We’re capitalising on alternatives now and the idea within the group is nice. It is a particular group to be part of.”
Focus now shifts to a sell-out derby conflict with the Ospreys, with O’Brien eager for the Dragons to make their mark on the street.
“It is a native Welsh derby,” he mentioned. “They’re all the time thrilling video games and we’re actually wanting ahead to it. We have got to place our greatest foot ahead.”
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For O’Brien, a Newport-born academy graduate who has clocked up eight years with the Dragons throughout two stints, the current sequence of house victories has additionally centred on repaying loyal supporters.
“They’ve been excellent for us by means of the highs and lows,” he added. “As a neighborhood boy, I am satisfied that we’re paying the followers again with the scoreboard. Now we have got to ensure we do it away from house too.”
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