By Jeff D'Andrea

Dragons send a province-high four players to rugby nationals

Aug 6, 2012 | 12:13 PM

After winning the Saskatoon high school rugby championships with an undefeated league season, the Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons now have something else to brag about.

They are sending four of their players to represent Team Saskatchewan at the U18 National Festival in Sherbrooke, Que. Aug. 6-12, more than any other team in the province.

Clayton Johnson, Andrew Carswell, Lucas McConechy and Ashton Milligan will all represent Prince Albert in the tournament. Out of the four, only Johnson will be graduating as Carswell, McConechy and Milligan are all eligible to return.

“It’s great, it’s almost overwhelming,” said Milligan.

Dragons coach Paul Roy said he was proud to send one player in all four grades as Johnson was a Grade 12 point machine at standoff, Carswell a bruising prop forward in Grade 11, Grade 10 McConechy another tenacious in scrum-half and Milligan is just in Grade 9 as a winger.

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“We have a boy in each grade and that is just so good for us,” said Roy. “Now, we’re going to have somebody to come back from experiences like that (at the nationals) and be a mentor.”

At just 15-years-old playing in an under-18 national tournament, Milligan feels fortunate for the opportunity.

“It’s great to be able to play with them,” said Milligan, the youngest player on Team Saskatchewan.

“I’m just lucky to be there, I guess.”

Roy said Milligan’s speed will make him effective out on the wing. McConechy played scrum-half with the Dragons but will likely have to play elsewhere as Saskatoon stud William Jacklin-Watt plays that position.

Carswell, a prop with the Dragons, will likely see more action in the front row with Team Saskatchewan. He’s a heavy, tenacious which impressed U18’s coach Dean Murten.

“He’s a beast,” said Roy. “He’s just a guy I know Dean really wanted. Cory Trann (Dragons forwards coach) is so impressed with Andrew’s scrummaging ability; he’s not fun to scrummage against.”

Johnson played standoff for the Dragons and scored a ton of points, but Roy believes his versatility will make him very useful around the pitch.

“He was our tactical (leader), kind of like a quarterback in a sense,” said Roy. “He could play anywhere in the backs and do a good job. He’s got the leg strength and tackling ability… his leg is second to none right now in his age group in the province.”

The Dragons were able to send so many players after their impressive showing from their entire team, capturing the Saskatoon league title and finishing fourth in provincials, the farthest they’ve ever gone.

“It was great, we had a lot of senior players so we did really good this year,” said Milligan. “I actually got to play a lot, I was really happy about that. We had a really good year.”

The Dragons and the rest of Team Saskatchewan will hope to gain even more bragging rights with deep run at nationals.

jdandrea@panow.com

Twitter: @jeff_dandrea