Dragons see Andy's future at 6

June 30, 2005

Dragons see Andy's future at 6

Posted by Editor on June 30, 2005 04:19 PM | One comment | Print | E-mail author

Andy Hall will play at No.6 for the Dragons

Andy Hall may have made his name as a lock forward, but his new club Newport Gwent Dragons see his future being in the backrow.

Andy, surprisingly released by Glasgow at the end of last season, will figure as a No 6 for the Dragons, having also played there.

New Dragons senior coach Paul Turner said: "I knew of Andrew when I was at Bedford in 1998. He was one of two Moseley back row players I was interested in, the other being a certain Peter Buxton (later to join Newport).

"He subsequently moved to lock and moved to Glasgow but on the most recent Australia tour Matt Williams and Todd Blackadder used him as a No 6, which is where we have signed him to play.

"He is a ball carrier and gives us a lineout option and we are delighted to have secured the services of a young international, albeit capped just the once.

"It was a stroke of luck that he became available as he was due to join Narbonne in France but the move fell through."

Posted by Number 9 on July 1, 2005 08:00 AM | Reply to this comment

This might be a good way for Andy to develop. The thought that he might be better suited to playing 6 had occured to me on occasion - it's just that Glasgow have often had more depth in the back row, as well as less depth at lock.

He maybe lacks the bulk and static strength to be a top class lock, but has always been athletic and mobile. If the Dragons are committed to playing him on the blindside, it might free him up from duties in the boilerhouse, and exploit his natural abilities a bit more.

Good luck Andy - all the best for the new season (with the obvious two games excepted!).