TOMORROW afternoon we take on a Glasgow side known for their positive attacking play and high-tempo approach but it’s the fundamentals they also do well, a reputation that we’d also like to earn in the future.

It’s a big game as we try to make amends after a disappointing performance and result against Connacht a fortnight ago.

The wind and the rain would have made it feel like a home game for them and, fair play, they played the conditions perfectly.

Their fly-half managed the game really well and things just got away from us.

Dean Ryan has made it clear that we won’t panic and all we’ve done is go back to the fundamentals – it’s not rocket science.

Glasgow will come to Rodney Parade looking to play expansively but they also have a good driving lineout, a solid scrum and decent tight game if conditions suit.

We’ve worked at playing at a high tempo and we showed what we can do in the pre-season win against the Scarlets and away win at Zebre, but it all has to start up front.

Former Gloucester and France front rower Olivier Azam has been with us at a number of training sessions so far this season while Jonathan Humphreys, who will be Wales forwards coach after the World Cup, came in for a really good session.

I never played against Azam but he had a reputation as a hooker who really loved scrummaging, so having him on board for one-on-ones can only help for the front rowers.

Any little insights and extra help as part of the coaching team can only be a good thing, and hopefully we will see some results over the coming weeks.

It’s been a good training week ahead of the Glasgow game and on my day off on Wednesday I was involved in some off-field matters.

Tyler Morgan and I are the representatives for the Dragons for the WRPA, the union that our players go to if there are any significant issues at hand.

At the start of the year things really got messy with the debacle around player bandings, mergers and boys’ voices not being heard.

I think that was a bit of a watershed moment for the WRPA and unfortunately the concerns were not considered when any major decisions were made.

Look over the border at the PRA and in Ireland and they are organisations with real clout and influence. That’s something for us to aspire to be.

We are looking to be taken more seriously and to grow as a unit, building our network and relationships with businesses in other industries away from sport, working with experts in other areas and not being so reliant on the Welsh Rugby Union.

With more independence we can have more influence and we are looking to put the building blocks in place.

Pro players pay their monthly subs and I think we owe it to all 250 members – not just those on the international scene – to be a strong organisation that fights and works hard for the rights and wellbeing of rugby players at all stages of their individual careers.

A youngster may need help in help in early professional life by continuing college or university and us ‘more senior’ guys may need to look at life post-rugby.

Having the resources to help a player at any stage of their career is vital, not just in times of real need.