Dragons v Munster

Rodney Parade. Friday. KO 6.10pm

THE 80 minutes Newport Gwent Dragons endured at Connacht may have been agony for the majority, but Rhodri Davies enjoyed every second.

It was the 24-year-old's debut after signing from Northampton and he is delighted with the way things are turning out after an injury-ridden spell at Franklin's Gardens.

Groin and back injuries reduced the centre to a spectator and that didn't make good viewing as the side languished at the basement of the Guinness Premiership.

It was the Lampeter man's passion for rugby, all he has wanted to do before heading back to the farm once retired, that got him through and now he is reaping the rewards of a different approach to his recovery.

He said: "It was a pretty torrid time at Northampton, they tried everything they could to get me on to the field but they were alway looking for the quick fix. I went into hospital eight or nine times for different operations and treatments and none of it really worked.

"It's been different here and (physio) Dan Martin has been fantastic. It has been very conservative but structured rehab period and week on week I have been getting better.

"When I first met Dan I couldn't get on the physio table, I was in so much pain I was struggling to walk around, get in and out of bed or sit down. But there have been gradual gains and all the credit goes to him.

"There has been a structured four or five months to get me to where I am now. They could have thrown me into it and things could have gone either way. It was all about gradually building up the confidence that my groin could stand up to it and now I'm feeling good."

Davies was eased back with 40 minutes in the pre-season clash with Bedford and two games in the Premiership with Bedwas.

But after appearing againt Connacht he is set to be plunged into the firing line on Friday when he faces former New Zealand Maori skipper Rua Tipoki.

"Tipoki is going to be a real danger," he admitted. "I've played against a few good centres before but this is going to be a test and one I'm looking forward to. I've missed a lot of rugby, it's not going to come overnight but it is getting there and that will continue on Friday.

"We're expecting a physical confrontation, the forwards won't mind me saying they came off second best against Connacht but we've worked really hard this week."