Hibbard's 'shock' about the new season already starting

With a week remaining in France’s Top 14 season in the northern hemisphere, it is hard to believe that the Dragons’ season ended six weeks ago.

In fact, with Toulouse and Clermont still set to play the French final next weekend, the Welsh outfit have already started pre-season training in the hope of enjoying an improved season under new boss Dean Ryan. 

The reason for Dragons' early start is because they failed yet again to make the play-offs for the Guinness PRO14 this season, but it nonetheless seems strange that one team is looking ahead to the next season.

Former British and Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard summed up this shock perfectly on Twitter, as he too may feel like the summer in Newport has not been long enough.

The 38-cap Wales hooker is entering his second season with the Dragons, and is perhaps not looking forward to the coming weeks of hard toil on the training pitch.

Social media is currently littered with players on holiday during their break, and it seems alarming that the new season is starting for some.

Edinburgh, another side that failed to reach the play-offs, have also begun their pre-season training. In contrast, their Scottish rivals Glasgow will have to wait a few more weeks after reaching the PRO14 final which they lost to Leinster on May 25. 

With the arrival at Rodney Parade of Sam Davies at fly-half from Ospreys and Ryan as the new director of rugby, it is unsurprising that the Dragons want to kick on with the 2019/20 season as soon as possible.

The Newport side finished last season with the third fewest points in the PRO14 after just five wins in 21 outings, but they will hope their early start can help them produce a season where they are no longer Welsh rugby’s underachieving region.

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