ANGUS O’Brien wants to go to bed content with a job well done on Sunday after too many sleepless nights courtesy of Cardiff.
The 29-year-old fly-half and goal kicker will be a key figure at Rodney Parade when the Dragons attempt to end a 15-game losing streak against their nearest and fiercest rivals that goes back to 2015.
Last season they beat the Ospreys in Newport then stunned the Scarlets at Judgement Day but a success against Cardiff eluded them.
Just three players of Dai Flanagan’s matchday 23 to face the Blue and Blacks have been on the field to enjoy a derby win against the side from the Arms Park – back row forward Dan Lydiate, hooker James Benjamin and centre Jack Dixon.
O’Brien, from Caerleon, made his Dragons debut in the 2014/15 campaign but didn’t feature in the Boxing Day success in the capital or European Challenge Cup quarter-final victory in Newport.
He has beaten Cardiff with the Scarlets but never with his hometown club, and came agonisingly close on Boxing Day last year.
The Dragons led at the death but O’Brien was left isolated after gathering a bomb, Ellis Jenkins forced a holding-on penalty, Jarrod Evans kicked to the corner and Corey Domachowski barged over.
“I’ve never beaten them, unfortunately,” said O’Brien. “I don't really like watching clips of last year's game against them because that's another one that got away.
“It’s important we learn from the finish last season at Rodney Parade. It’s about being comfortable in those leads and seeing those games out.
“Last season we allowed Cardiff to get a penalty on the halfway line and Jarrod Evans put it bang on the five and they score. You must learn from those, you to be clean and see those types of games out.”
The Dragons didn’t learn those harsh lessons from last year in their URC opener against Edinburgh when a commanding position slipped through their fingers.
A 17-6 lead turned into a 22-17 defeat, another wasted opportunity to add to the list in the reign of Dai Flanagan.
“There’s been a bit of frustration this week but we’ve got a massive fixture against Cardiff, a local derby, and you’ve been able to tell that with a bit of edge in training,” said O’Brien.
“The boys are really looking forward to hopefully righting a few of those wrongs from last weekend and putting in a performance.
“It’s an opportunity and derbies are emotional, everyone knows each other. We play each other quite a lot so it does have a different edge to it and a different feel.”
O’Brien starred at full-back last season but is primarily a fly-half this season after the arrival of Cai Evans.
He stays there for the Cardiff clash despite the Wales international suffering a concussion with Flanagan opting to bring in Jordan Williams at 15.
Nonetheless, there will be times when O’Brien moves back this season, even during games with fly-half rival/teammate Will Reed on the bench.
“The way we want to play, it's not too dissimilar playing 10 or 15,” said O’Brien. “I’ve played quite a bit of both throughout my career so I'm comfortable doing both roles.
“The transition between 10 and 15 is something I'm comfortable with. I spent last season playing full back and the back end of the season I played 10. I've enjoyed leading the team and being back in at 10.”
Especially if he guides the Dragons to a derby win against Cardiff at the eighth attempt.
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