The Rodney Parade region travel to London on Friday to take on Aviva Premiership heavyweights Harlequins in their first LV=Cup match of the season.
It has not taken long for fly-half O’Brien to adjust to life at the top level. He has raced to 49 points in eight matches since he was thrown in for his first senior appearance in the first-half of the derby clash with the Ospreys. And he is relishing the opportunity to satisfy his hunger for first class action at the Stoop.
“It’s my first season in the senior environment so I’ve found that I’ve learned a lot already and am learning all the time.
“I think for me the biggest change stepping up has just been playing with bigger and better players.”
Both sides are struggling for form in their domestic leagues. The Dragons have won just once against PRO12 basement boys Treviso and lost their other six league encounters.
They did claim a famous win in the European Challenge Cup at the home of Stade Francais, but slipped to defeat against Newcastle in their only meeting with English opposition this season.
Quins lost their opening LV=Cup clash with Saracens to continue their indifferent form. They have failed to win two league games in a row since the start of the season and sit seventh in the Premiership. And O’Brien is keen to kick-on in the Anglo-Welsh cup.
He said: “They are faster, stronger and more aggressive and if you aren’t on your game you get found out. But this is right where I want to be and I’m really looking forward to getting some minutes under my belt and experiencing the LV= Cup.
“The LV= Cup will be another chance for the younger boys to show what they can do and see what it’s like to play at the highest level.
“We’ve got a tough match against Harlequins who are one of the top four sides in England but it’s a great stadium to go and play in and that’s a match that we will all be looking forward to playing in.”
