THE Dragons reaped the rewards of making lock George Nott angry against the Ospreys last weekend, says boss Dai Flanagan.
The Rodney Parade club have headed to South Africa for clashes with the Sharks and Lions after getting their first win in the United Rugby Championship.
They beat the Ospreys 20-5 in Newport with backs Rio Dyer, Cai Evans and Rhodri Williams getting plenty of plaudits for their performances.
Nott also produced a big display after an early introduction when Wales lock Ben Carter suffered a hamstring injury.
The 27-year-old, who plays at blindside as well as in the second row, has been a key figure since signing from London Irish in the summer of 2022.
The lineout specialist missed out on the XV last weekend and went out to prove a point to Flanagan and the rest of the coaching team.
“George was superb,” said the boss. “I won’t hide the fact that I like big packs with big blindside flankers so that we can cause aerial threat.
“The best form of stopping opposition attacks is to do it at source and George is the brains behind that with [forwards coach] Luke Narraway.
“You could see that he was a bit angry at not starting; we named the team late because we had a few niggles. It was great that he could get on the field and show us what he can do again.”
With Carter sidelined, Flanagan must decide whether to stick with Nott in the second row or move him to blindside against a Sharks pack that could be bolstered by the legendary Eben Etzebeth.
The Springboks lock has returned to training along with fellow World Cup winners Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse, while centre Lukhanyo Am returned against Connacht last week.
TAYLOR ON THE MOVE
FORWARD Huw Taylor has joined the former Dragons contingent in Major League Rugby after signing for Seattle Seawolves.
The 27-year-old flanker/lock left Rodney Parade last summer after six seasons and 52 appearances for the club.
Taylor stayed sharp by heading to Colwyn Bay to play for RGC in the Premiership and will now head for Seattle.
“Having played professional rugby for ten years, I have had the opportunity to travel across Europe and South Africa,” he said.
“I recently married England rugby winger Kelly Smith, and we both are excited to by the opportunity to explore Seattle and contribute to the Seawolves winning the MLR Shield.
“I really appreciate the opportunity given to me and am looking forward to throwing myself into it.”
Taylor will go up against back row forward Ben Fry, who has signed for Dallas Jackals, and loosehead Rob Evans, who will be with Miami Sharks.
Defence coach Simon Cross left in the summer to become boss at Old Glory DC in Washington with the season set to get under way in February.
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