PAUL Turner has given the credit to his staff after being presented with the Magners League coach of the year award.

“It was a big shock to me and I’m pretty humbled by it, there are far more deserving coaches than me in the room,” said Turner after receiving the award at a league dinner in the Millennium Stadium.

“But it wasn’t for me, it was for the business, the coaching staff and for Rob Beale (rugby manager), I’m only heading up the rugby side of it.

“It’s good to be acknowledged and this award reflects that, but it does put a bit of extra pressure on us and we’ve got to be more consistent.

“It’s always difficult with three competitions, and you’ve just been listening to Paul O’Connell and Leo Cullen say that even with squads Munster and Leinster have got they were struggling come play-off time. You’ve got to have your fair share of luck with injuries.

“We’ve got a bigger squad, but it will still take time to get the foundations stronger. It’s not so much our home form which is always a gimme, it’s our away form we’ve got to improve.”

Dragons captain Tom Willis and Beale both paid tribute to Turner for winning the award.

“It’s fantastic for Paul and it shows the success he’s had with the boys which has now been acknowledged,” said Willis.

“It’s the nature of the job that there could be more pressure now and maybe there will be a greater sense of expectation, but we feel that anyway.”

Beale said, “I’m delighted for Paul and the award is thoroughly deserved. There is a very strong coaching team working under him, but he is now one of the longest serving coaches in the Magners League and he’s still as enthusiastic as ever about regional rugby and the importance of the Dragons.

“It’s also a reflection of the way the team has played and the style they have shown. It’s not solely down to him but his whole team.”