Douglas: Seasoned pros improving Dragons pack

Summer signings Boris Stankovich, Brok Harris and Rynard Landman have established themselves as regular fixtures in a Dragons side that have secured impressive triumphs over Leinster and Ulster in recent weeks.

Together with the experience that trio has added at Rodney Parade, Douglas insists the bond they have formed with Newport veterans Lewis Evans and Andrew Coombs is just as vital to the pack's development.

And the former Scotland prop is also thankful for the guidance of the senior Dragons coaching team as he continues to learn his new trade, having made eight PRO12 appearances for Newport on loan last season.

"Boris Stankovich has been massively important, as have Brok Harris and Rynard Landman," Douglas told the South Wales Argus.

"Boris was at Leicester for years so has learned a thing or two about the scrum and is fantastic to have around. I am on the outside trying to chip in while he is on the inside driving it.

"I think that we have got a good group that are improving and players like Lewis Evans and Andrew Coombs have really been getting into their scrummaging whereas before perhaps they had hated it.

"With coaching you never know if it's going to be long-term or short-term but I'd like to think that I am helping some lads get better and that's all I can hope for.

"I am loving it though and at the Dragons it great to have Lyn (Jones) and Kingsley (Jones) giving me advice but also helping me progress by asking me questions and keeping me thinking."

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