Dragons’ matchday squad in Montpellier featured 13 players who came through their academy.<\/p>\n
Lock Ben Carter, blind-side flanker Ryan Woodman, hooker Brodie Coghlan and currently injured scrum-half Che Hope have made big improvements this season.<\/p>\n
“All the players will be better for the experience of Montpellier and what has gone on over the last 12 months,” said Rees.<\/p>\n
“You review and help them grow individually, while ultimately you have to back those players up with a little bit of quality that comes in.<\/p>\n
“Yes, they are losing Wainwright but they have also recruited and there will be a couple more coming in.<\/p>\n
“You slowly build that strength in depth, and that is how a team and individuals grow.”<\/p>\n
The hope will be that full-back Huw Anderson, who was lively off the bench in the semi-final, back-row forwards Harry Beddall and Evan Minto and loose-head Jordan Morris can follow the lead of those who have flourished this year.<\/p>\n
Dragons have used 49 players this season but the Challenge Cup group stage hammering at Benetton, when the Italians scored 11 tries in a 74-21 victory, exposed their lack of depth in certain areas.<\/p>\n
Cardiff were able to rotate while combining a URC play-off challenge with qualifying for the European knockout stages. <\/p>\n