STAND-IN boss Gordon Ross will have an almost full squad to choose from ahead of Dragons’ PRO14 game against Connacht this weekend.

The backs coach took the reins against Munster after a member of Dean Ryan’s management team tested positive for coronavirus, meaning that the director of rugby and all coaches who came into close contact with them in Belfast had to go into self-isolation.

And speaking ahead of Connacht’s visit to Rodney Parade on Saturday, Ross is expected to take charge once again.

The Scotsman said he had a fully-fit squad to choose from, with only the region’s internationals unavailable for selection.

“We came out injury-free [from Munster] which is excellent,” he said. “It’s a huge credit to the medics and also the boys for looking after themselves because there was plenty of bumps and bruises after the game.

“Hopefully we are in a place to pick another strong squad.”

With Wales not in action this week, Ross was asked whether any of Dragons’ internationals were due to be released ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

“I certainly hope so, but I don’t know yet,” he said. “We’ve not had confirmation of that at the moment, so we’re just working with what we had last weekend and we’re excited about that.

“The boys have picked some areas they want to improve on and challenge themselves to get better at, and that’s what’s really pleasing about this group - they want to get better every week and that’s the challenge for us as coaches and also for the players.

“Obviously we’d love these people back because they’re international players, but we’ve also got very good players here at Ystrad who have trained extremely well over the week. If they get their opportunity to play we know they’ll take it again.”

Connacht, meanwhile, have been bolstered by a number of players in the Irish squad returning to train with them.

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion and fly-half Jack Carty have trained with the province, as have second rows Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane.

With Leon Brown, Elliot Dee and Jonah Holmes yet to feature since being called into the Wales squad, Ross said he was sure Dragons would take the opportunity to play them should the chance be offered.

“We’d love them to be playing for Dragons,” he said. “We’d love them to be playing rugby because ultimately that’s what they want to do, and any time they’re offered back to us I’m sure we’ll take the opportunity to involve them because we know how good they are as rugby players.

“They’re desperate to play and they’ll only get better through playing.

“The more often we can have them back at Dragons is good for us but also more importantly its excellent for the players to be playing as well. That’ll only improve their performances when they do get that opportunity to play for Wales as well.”