By Graham Thomas
For Rio Dyer, his moment of rugby renewal this summer came from watching a Frenchman connect with his nation.
Dyer – who had an extremely busy 2023-24 season for Wales and his Dragons region – could have been forgiven for switching off completely from the sport after an 12-month stretch that went from last year’s World Cup build-up to this summer’s tour to Australia.
But instead, the 24-year-old wing flicked on his TV and soaked up every moment of the Olympic Sevens tournament which culminated in Antoine Dupont leading France to gold medal glory in Paris.
“When you watch something like Dupont help France win that final against Fiji – and you see how it moves so many people – you start to reflect on how one player can be so influential,” he says.
“Then, it kind of pushes you to see if you can be that individual. I want to influence people to fall in love with the game, just as I fell in love with it as a kid.”
It’s a long way from Paris in July to Rodney Parade in September, but Dyer was a key part of an inspirational Dragons performance that was enough to beat the Ospreys last weekend in their URC opener.
Now, the Dragons must try and back that up on Friday night at the one venue where any team is considered least likely to back up a win – in Dublin against Leinster.
The Irish province may not be quite the force they once were, especially away from home, but at home they remain the ultimate challenge and they last lost on their own patch against Ulster back on New Year’s Day.
They also have a party to start as the match will be the night veteran Ireland prop Cian Healy is set to break Leinster’s appearance record by playing in his 281st match.
With a six-day turnaround from beating the Ospreys, Dragons coach Dai Flanagan has made four changes but Dyer knows that altering perceptions means the Dragons must move from occasional one-off highs to play-and-repeat week-to-week winners.
“We need to prove people wrong this season and show we are capable of putting results together, not just a win every now and again,” adds Dyer.
“The results have been what they are, but the one thing we have shown is a desire to work hard and improve and that’s the basis, the platform, for the results now to improve as well.”
Leinster are 1/50 and you can get the Dragons at near even money with a huge 28.5 start.
Unsurprisingly, there’s little talk about winning from Flanagan, who says: “For me, it’s about us. It’s about us going out there, representing ourselves and our region in the best possible way we can, and improving week by week.”
On Saturday, there is the first Welsh derby of the season, when the Scarlets host Cardiff.
The Scarlets earned praised for a gutsy draw out in Italy against a strong Benetton team last week, whilst there was far less swooning over Cardiff, as even though they won at home against Zebre, it was a patchy display.
Along with Dyer, another player Wales will be hoping can continue to excite crowds both at regional and Test level this season is Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett, a tryscorer against Zebre.
This time last year, Winnett was uncapped but an impressive first-half of the season at the Arms Park merited a call up for the Six Nations.
Now, his line-breaking prowess and neat footwork means he will be one of the players fans will look to this season.
“So much has happened over the last 12 months and it was mentally challenging, suddenly being in the spotlight,” says Winnett.
“It was my first professional season and I ended up playing most of the games for Cardiff and most of the games for Wales as well.
“So it’s going to be a lot to take in.
“I’ve had kids asking for photos and all the youngsters back home looking up to me now which is quite surreal because I just feel like a kid from the Rhondda, myself.
“Over the summer was the first time I have had a chance to draw breath and think about it all.
“It was nice to reflect on it. My first cap was obviously a major one. I’m happy with the way the season went and I’ve come out the other side and I’m ready to go again now.”
DragonBet make Scarlets narrow favourites to beat Cardiff at 4/5, with the visitors priced at 5/4.The Ospreys host the Stormers on Saturday night and are underdogs at 27/20, with the South African province at 8/13 to make it two opening losses for Toby Booth’s side.
