Ulster Rugby v Dragons

DUNDON ENJOYING LATEST CHAPTER OF FLEDGLING COACHING CAREER

As one of three new faces to join the Ulster Rugby coaching team during the summer, Scrum Coach Aaron Dundon is settling well into life in the Province.

Jono for a number of years in Leinster so I had a good relationship with him there. This was the first time that I’ve met Dwayne (Peel) but we’re all getting along and it’s great. The experience they’ve had in their careers, playing and coaching, it’s great to pick their brains and we’re all helping each other push forward.” Having notched off three wins from the opening three rounds of the PRO14, Dundon admits the team are happy with the results, but also acknowledges there is still plenty of room for improvement. “We’re happy with where we’re placed, but we’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. As a coaching team it was good to measure ourselves against the Scarlets after their success last year and their form this season already, as we expect them to be there or thereabouts again this year. I don’t think we’re at the level they are yet, that’s where we’re aiming to get to, but it’s good to see where we are. Three wins is good but there’s still a lot to work on and the players know that.” Reflecting on the win over the Scarlets last Friday, Dundon refered to the fifth anniversary of the death of former Ulster player Nevin Spence, which fell on the day of the game, and how this effected the players’ performance. “I think, for the day that was in it, we probably would’ve beaten anyone that day. The emotion of the occasion drove us on to the win rather than us playing brilliantly. We know we can’t rely on that every week so we need to keep working hard to prepare for the challenges ahead.” Dundon is keen that the improvements in performance will continue tonight against the Dragons, as he pits himself against a familiar face in the opposition coaching box. “I know the Dragons coach, Bernard Jackman, quite well - he was the Director of Rugby for me at Grenoble last season. They’re still learning the system he’s wanting them to play, and you can see some similarities to what he tried to play in France. We need a good performance from the forwards, better than we showed last week. We weren’t happy with some of the opportunities we presented the Scarlets last week, particularly some of the easy outs from inside their 22. We need to keep growing as a team and keep this momentum going.”

The surroundings of Kingspan Stadium are familiar to the New Zealand born former hooker, who played there on several occasions with former club Leinster, where he racked up 49 appearances as well as an impressive 10 tries. “Previously I wouldn’t have spent much time up here - I would’ve just been coming up for games then back down to Dublin the same day so it’s nice to get to see more of the Province. We’re living a bit outside the city and we’re really enjoying it so far. But most of all I’m enjoying being at Ulster, in an environment that’s really thriving at the moment, with a team that has a lot of aspirations to go further.” Dundon joined Ulster along with Head Coach Jono Gibbes and Assistant Coach Dwayne Peel during the off-season, and he feels the coaching ticket are gelling well together. “As Scrum Coach I’m obviously focused on the scrum as well as working with the hookers on their throwing, but I’m also enjoying chipping in with the other coaches. I think we work really well together as a coaching team. The experience the other boys have, I’m learning loads from them and adding what I can. We get on really well with each other, we have a bit of craic together, but we knuckle down with what we need to do.” At just 35 years old, Dundon cut his teeth as Forwards Coach with Dublin based club side Clontarf, winning two All Ireland League titles, before joining up with his fellow former Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman at French Top 14 outfit FC Grenoble. “I learned loads in France, especially from the scrum. You’re playing against world class front rows, week in, week out. The refereeing is different over there so you’ve got to come up with strategies to stop the scrum and the opposition players so I feel that’s really good experience that I’ve brought over here.” With that experience behind him, Dundon is enjoying the new challenges at Ulster, and enhancing his personal development alongside his new colleagues. “It’s great working with these guys and helping them any way I can. I knew Les (Kiss) from when he was in the Ireland setup then obviously I played under

AARON DUNDON

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