Coghlan pride in Dragons' Europe journey
If anybody wants to know the love affair some Welsh players still have with their local side, they just need to spend a few minutes in the company of Wales hooker Brodie Coghlan. The Dragons front-rower has just signed a two-year contract for his home region and could not be more proud. "Playing for Dragons means everything to me because this was the side I grew up watching," said Coghlan.
"I still have a few moments now when I can't actually believe I am playing a lot for the Dragons now. " With all the turmoil within Welsh rugby and talk of cutting a professional side, you can sometimes forget the passion players have for their teams. Coghlan, who is hoping to help his side reach the European Challenge Cup semi-final by beating Zebre on Saturday, soon reminds you of that.
"I remember when I was younger and just hoping I'd be here one day, looking out on the pitch, watching the games when they play, dreaming of being there," said the 25-year-old. "I have moments of realisations every now and again, like I'm actually here now involved in it. It's what drives me and reminds me of what I wanted coming up as a kid.
"It makes me incredibly proud and means everything to me and my family. " The qualified lawyer hunting Euro glory at Dragons Dragons' shock win keeps Wales in Europe after TMO woe Dragons repeated their surprise 2014 Challenge Cup win at the Stade Jean Bouin So it was fitting that Coghlan's family were out in Paris last weekend to witness his - and many of his team-mates' - finest hour in a Dragons jersey. Dragons celebrated a 36-31 European Challenge Cup win against Stade Francais, who are third in the French Top 14 league, thanks to a last-gasp Wyn Jones try.
Coghlan had earlier crossed the line himself in a victory that sets up a quarter-final trip to face Zebre in Parma on Saturday. "We tried not to put too much pressure on ourselves and go out there and just play how we wanted to play. " The Newport-born Dragons academy product said the feeling after the victory was incredible.