Dee and Dragons relishing return battle with Blues

The 20-year-old was handed the No.2 jersey after rival Thomas Rhys Thomas suffered a groin strain during the warm up at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day.

Dee capped an impressive all-round performance with his first GUINNESS PRO12 try for the Dragons and thought he had a double after the interval, only for referee Leighton Hodges to have already awarded a penalty try.

And although the Wales Under-20 international inspired his side to a 23-17 triumph, Dee admits the Dragons face a tough task if they are to complete only a second league double over their rivals in the club's history on Thursday.

"Any time I wear the shirt I have to put everything into it because I know TRT (Thomas) does the same," Dee told the South Wales Argus. "We are battling each other week in, week out. It's like that throughout the squad.

"I knew he was struggling a bit before kick-off but with his character he never shows weakness and tried to carry on but unfortunately he couldn't come through. I was shocked but happy to get a full game.

"Usually playing hooker you do your job for 60 minutes and are then looking over at the bench! It was a bit funny to know I had the full 80 but I love my job and any game time I can get.

"It was my first Christmas derby, a first game against the Blues and it lived up to everything I expected it to be.

"We said straight after the game about not getting ahead of ourselves, we have to perform again and get the double victory.

"Last year we won the home game but discipline cost us in Cardiff. We have done the hard task of winning away but can't get complacent and have to put in another massive performance because they are a wounded animal and will come at us hard."

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