This post was originally published on this site.
The 31-year-old has been in fine form for the Dragons this season
Dragons talisman Angus O’Brien has once again been tipped for a maiden Wales call-up.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed a strong season for the Men of Gwent, with Wales attack coach Matt Sherratt even making contact prior to this year’s Six Nations. Ultimately, a call-up for the full-back didn’t come his way then.
But, with the Dragons in a European semi-final this weekend, momentum is once again building for Steve Tandy to take a look at O’Brien this summer.
Wales face the Barbarians, Fiji, Argentina and South Africa this summer, with Tandy naming his squad this month.
And former Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt believes O’Brien should get the nod for Wales after a stellar season.
“I think his kicking game could offer Wales something,” said Hewitt. “That’s something that Wales have been looking to figure out who exactly they want to play and find their identity.
“That kicking game’s gone a bit missing a little bit in terms of somebody that can get you out of trouble when you’re trapped in your 22. We’ve seen Angus do it time and time again for the Dragons, under a little bit of pressure then before you know it, the opposition are pinned back on their tryline.
“So I think that would be his biggest strength, his kicking game and getting Wales out of trouble the same way that he does with the Dragons.
“But also his attacking threat as well. Now, obviously there’s a focus on (Louis) Rees-Zammit at 15 and I’m not going to make the leap and say that Angus is more of an attacking threat on a counter-attack than Rees-Zammit, but he’s been making those linebreaks on that kind of attack when he lifts his head up and sees that space. So he does have that variety to his game.
“He’s also a 10, so he gives you that option both sides of the ruck. I think it would add to Wales an attacking threat as far as ballplayers which they’ve been looking for in the 12/13 combination that Wales have been trying out. I think Angus would add that a little bit wider.
“But first and foremost, the kicking game he has would be a massive, massive step forward for Wales to have that.”
O’Brien, along with Wales internationals Ben Carter and Aaron Wainwright, will be crucial if the Dragons are to reach a first European final this weekend, when they face Montpellier.
“They’re massive,” added Hewitt. “It’s not long since I’ve been out of the environment and when I was there, as far as leadership groups go and how that leadership transcends onto the pitch, they were class.
“I was surprised that Angus didn’t get his call-up to the Six Nations because he’s been pivotal in everything the Dragons have done this season. I think his kicking game has been really, really strong for the Dragons. Just the number of metres he makes, he’s right up in the league with total kick metres and successful kicks off the tee.
“He just demands from the players around him. It’s the same with Aaron. He leads through his actions.
“Ben’s the exact same, just operating that lineout and adding another tool to the Dragons’ armoury in that sense. They’re absolutely massive. I think the Dragons’ squad has grown from strength to strength.”
Premier Sports is the home of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland – with every minute of live action from four thrilling semi-finals this weekend plus Finals weekend in Bilbao on May 22/23. Tune into Premier Sports 2 from 12 noon on Sunday for all the live action from Montpellier v Dragons RFC with Lauren Jenkins, Ashton Hewitt, Bernard Jackman, Tom Shanklin, Connor Morris, Johnnie Beattie. To join in www.premiersports.com from just £11.99 a month @PremSportsTV
