I know I must perform well for the Dragons, says Thomas Young

Thomas Young has a renewed drive and hunger as he embarks on a new chapter in his rugby career with the Dragons.

The Welsh international flanker only started six games for Cardiff last term and is now looking for a bigger slice of the action having moved east.

“I didn’t play as much as I wanted to last season,” he admits.

“So I’m probably a bit more driven again this year because I didn’t play a hell of a lot last year.

“You play rugby to play rugby, you are not doing it to train every week and not play. I want to play as much as I can and it’s up to me to perform. So I have got to make sure I do that.”

As for why he chose the Dragons, he says: “I met with them and they showed a vision of where they were going. It was appealing and, with the other signings they were bringing in, it was something I got excited about.

“There’s a massive change going on here and it was something I wanted to be part of.

“It’s a fresh start. The whole environment is fresh, with loads of new players, new staff. I’ve enjoyed it so far. It’s been good.”

Summer Signings

Young is one of a host of internationals to have arrived at the region this summer, along with fellow Wales caps Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies and Mackenzie Martin, plus Tongan Test duo Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea.

“We know as players the Dragons should be doing better, so it’s up to us to make sure that happens,” he said. “It’s about us gelling, working together and pushing each other on.”

As for his new head coach Filo Tiatia, himself a Test back row, openside Young says: “He is a very good man manager.

“The meetings have been good, he gets his point across well. It’s to the point – go out and do it, that’s what he expects. It’s up to us as players to make sure we deliver that. He’s mentoring the back row group and he’s been big on what he expects from us.”

Young, a father to three daughters, is relishing the prospect of Rodney Parade being his home.

“The new boys had to stand up and say a few things for a team video and I put up a clip of when I got away with a yellow card there and they booed the house down!” he revealed.

“It’s one place you enjoy playing, but it will be even better when they are supporting you rather than getting on your back, so that’s something I am looking forward to doing.”

The four-times capped Young is now 33, but looks to have plenty of gas left in the tank.

“The body is good and I feel fresh,” he said.

“As long as I’m still enjoying it and as long as I can play to that level, I’ll keep going.

“As a player, you know when your time is up. You know when you are done.

“It’s the enjoyment factor that keeps you going and I still enjoy going into work.”

By Simon Thomas

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