Dragons v Connacht

Teams:
Newport Gwent Dragons:
Will Harries; Tonderai Chavanga, Andy Tuilagi, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew; Lewis Robling, Wayne Evans; Phil Price, Steve Jones, Nathan Buck, Luke Charteris (capt), Rob Sidoli, Dan Lydiate, Jevon Groves, Toby Faletau

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nathan Williams, Dan Way, Lewis Evans, Tom Brown, Joe Bedford, Adam Hughes, Steffan Jones

Connacht:
Gavin Duffy; Fetu'u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, Henry Fa'afili, Tiernan O'Halloran; Miah Nikora, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Ethienne Reynecke, Ronan Loughney; Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy; Mick Kearney, Ray Ofisa, John Muldoon.

Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Finlay Bealham, Rodney Ah You, Eoin McKeon, Eoghan Grace, Paul O'Donohoe, Matthew Jarvis, Dave McSharry

Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (France)

Strong side out for us (dragons). Hope Tuilagi can keep hold of the ball in contact for this game. Obvious omission is Tovey (again). We really need to win this match if we are to keep within a chance of catching the Blues.

COME ON DRAGONS!

Obvious omissions are Tovey and Martyn Thomas. Bit disappointed that Tuilagi is picked over Adam Hughes to be honest, but then that's par for the course for Edwards.

Not too sure on Jevon Groves at 7, but then he's probably more a 7 than a lock.

Dragons at home should win, Dragons always been slighty stronger than Connacht in the League.

However from next year I can see that changing, Connacht are rebuilding, and recuiting well at the minute and last year they lost 4 top players and it would always take time to recover, they replaced them and are recuiting well again this summer, and are building towards a decent future.

Dragons on the other hand seam to be where Connacht were, losing some of their top players this summer, however I don't think they will be able to repalce them and build th eway Connacht are doing. Can see Connacht pushing on next year and Dragons sliding back.

Very difficult to predict how the Dragons will perform next season Kingshu. We ended last half of the season well in 2011 but this year we didn't push on despite the optimism that was coming out of Dave Parade.

I guess the extra funding by the IRFU is helping Connacht in some ways... oh to have extra funding

Not been impressed with Tuilagi at all really and certainly not enough to see him start ahead of Hughes.

If he isn't picking Tovey and Thomas cos they are now leaving why is he picking Brew and Charteris or is there more to the first two leaving.

Hate to say we should win this but at home then these are the games we need to win and win well.

It is hard to predict, as predictions have a habit of making you look silly

However I fell that losing Tovey, Thomas, Brew and Charteris, is about the same as Connacht losing Keatley, Carr, Cronin and Hagan. Connacht were luckly as there funding got increased by the IRFU and theyhave been building a new squad this year and last.

dragons Key players going, I hope the Dragons sign well and recover quickly, however with the other regions attracting the best players it will be tough on the Dragons to recover.


Maybe this Price Waterhousecooper report will bear some good news for the Dragons, a similar report did last year for Connacht and the IRFU increased funds for them accordingly.

Id of given Steffan jones another start. Roblin has played well when given the chance but I feel Steffan has that extra spark. I guess having Hughes and steff on the bench is good if we're chasing the 4th try.

Possibly the strongest side we've had all season. 4 try's would be great and it's what we sould really be aiming for. Looking forward to getting over on the hazel terrace and Just like last season there seems to be some positives coming from us at the end of the season.


- we are recruiting and im positive we won't be 4th region next season..

youngguns - if you can pick up the points that are on offer, there is still a chance you won't be this season. Especially givent eh Blues sudden freefall in form.

I would really like to see the Dragons pick up a winning bonus point against Connacht, and I would not be too suprised to see it happen either. Out of interest are Tovey and Thomas really being kept out of the squad for seeking pastures new?

SS - Not sure about Thomas. But in regards to Tovey the Dragons are playing the 2 rookie 10s in order to get some Pro 12 experience whilst there is little to play for this year. IMO it's a good move by Edwards, and so far they have delivered.

Not sure what's going on with Tovey..
Wanted to leave because we are bringing in a new 10 and he wouldn't play 2nd fiddle - fair enough

Wanted to join the blues - retarded Kumquat

Fell out with Edwards - hmmm

Hc rugby - didn't matter to Danny, Toby n Luke.

Coach didn't rate him - dout it

- anyways, sadly I can't see us catching the blues. Neither team sould be happy but I feel we look stronger than them going into next season dispite our player exodus. Any news on who the international 2nd row is ?

and so they should, i believe steffan prob hasnt started due to the fact he played against georgia mid week?

Hope the Dragons can win well but it will still be a tough game. If they can hopefully make a few signings in the summer (to go along with the rumoured ones so far) then they'll be looking better but I think they'll still be knocked back a bit and won't do too well until 2013/2014 season.

They could catch the Blues but I don't reckon they will I think the Blues will pull out of their slump

according to sources they are recruiting a SH lock thats charteris replacement

brew - hughes/poole/harries/chavhanga
tovey - jones/robling
thomas - harries/smith +1 SH (apparently)

also don't forget the mighty D Evans as well!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:also don't forget the mighty D Evans as well!

If anyone wants tickets for the Hazell get in quick there's only about 30 left.

Posh Bisley types need not apply.

There will be about 5 extra standing spaces in the Hazell tomorrow night, 'cos me and the boys are upgrading to the posh seats! Sunglasses at the ready.

Griff wrote:There will be about 5 extra standing spaces in the Hazell tomorrow night, 'cos me and the boys are upgrading to the posh seats! Sunglasses at the ready.

Is that the £10 upgrade or the £25 meal thing? I'm tempted by the latter a bit. Might do it for when the posh Leinster boys are in town.

Griff wrote:There will be about 5 extra standing spaces in the Hazell tomorrow night, 'cos me and the boys are upgrading to the posh seats! Sunglasses at the ready.

Rumour has it there's an air freshener in one of the bogs

Risca Rev wrote:

Griff wrote:There will be about 5 extra standing spaces in the Hazell tomorrow night, 'cos me and the boys are upgrading to the posh seats! Sunglasses at the ready.

Is that the £10 upgrade or the £25 meal thing? I'm tempted by the latter a bit. Might do it for when the posh Leinster boys are in town.

Only £5 upgrade mate. Done it twice this season now (Exeter and Scarlets). Atmosphere is not the same for obvious reasons but it'll get there. The best bit is the lack of queue for a beer. The staff are falling over themselves to serve you!

Stone Motif wrote:

Griff wrote:There will be about 5 extra standing spaces in the Hazell tomorrow night, 'cos me and the boys are upgrading to the posh seats! Sunglasses at the ready.

Rumour has it there's an air freshener in one of the bogs

I can confirm that the rumour is true.

Good Dragons side, I don't see the logic if they are leaving Tovey out as he will still get paid. The Dragons should go hell for leather to chase the Blues down even if it is unlikely to lead to HC qualification.

But Glamorganalun, you have to question whether Tovey can be bothered and/or if he's had a falling out with Edwards. He hasn't been great this season. If his head's not in it then what would be better if we're chasing down the Blues: playing him who (maybe) can't be bothered or play someone like Robling and Steffan who are chomping at the bit to impress, and have been playing well for the Dragons.

I agree with Griff, would Tovey want to play all out to try and overtake a team he will be joining next season and denying himself HC rugby? Not saying he would but it would surely cross his mind.

Robin Davey has tweeted:

Dragons looking at southern hemisphere international locks to replace Luke Charteris.

Tonderai Chavhanga wants to stay with the Dragons. Could another South African be set to join him at Rodney Parade?

Dragons want a 10, 15, tight head and lock. They're looking at players in South Africa, Ireland, England and Wales

Tough on Martyn Thomas but Dragons have got other irons in the fire, as they have at 10

The Dragons' irons in the fire at outside half could point to the southern hemisphere...

New interim chief exec carrying out major internal overhaul of the Dragons, but forget about them being downgraded, it won't happen

That last tweet is the best news of all if it's true.

Griff wrote:Only £5 upgrade mate. Done it twice this season now (Exeter and Scarlets). Atmosphere is not the same for obvious reasons but it'll get there. The best bit is the lack of queue for a beer. The staff are falling over themselves to serve you!

Might do it for Treviso then. Be on the right side for a photo with the Six Nations trophy then, as i gather the triple crown was in the shop. Heard about the bar. Sounds a treat. Cheers Griff

Rev, don't get me wrong I've been a Hazell Terrace seasn ticket holder since the start of the Dragons and a few seasons before that with Newport, and nothing beats the atmopshere in that terrace. The best way I can describe the new Bisley Stand is that it's nice if you fancy a change! Not sure I could go there full time just because of a slight lack lack of atmosphere (harder to shout when sat down?) and also it's a bit less social. On the terrace you can stand in a huddle with mates in front, to the side and behind you. In the seats you tend to sit in a long row of mates so just speak to the ones next to you, unless you can book something like a 3 rows of 3 in front of each other, but that takes a bit of organising.

Anyway, for a fiver it's been great to have a look and see RP from a different angle. It also gets me further way from those football chants that the old Argus Terrace lot brought over with them like 'heeeeeee knocked it ooooooooon' or 'one arm, he's only got one arm' which I can't stand to be honest! (Sorry of that's anyone on here!)

I LOVE THOESE SONGS haha always been a terrace fan but I do fancy going over the dark side for a game especially now it's sunny n the bars ate apparently empty.

Can't believe we've sold out the hazel terrace for this one. I thought half of Newport was at the drake concert in blues land.

STAND UP FOR THE MEN OF GWENT!

1 word. Gash.

Well played Connacht

Win at Edinburgh one week, lose at home to Connacht another. Go figure

Yes, well played Connacht. They were much the better team in all areas, apart from maybe the last 20 mins, but by then it was too late. The missed penalty for the losing bonus point summed it up really: p*ss poor execution throughout.

cnt express how annoyed i am

Very poor performance even with the stars back. Seemed to be a lack of passion, Connacht seemed to want it more. The ref didn't help either with some strange decisions, though I applaud him giving penalties for crooked feed at first 2 scrums then seemed to forget about it!!!

Delighted for Connacht! Great win.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Delighted for Connacht! Great win.

In a way no, because the way they played compared to the Dragons they may well have deserved a winning bonus. We were so flat it's untrue. It's not even as if you could say Connacht stopped us playing as that isn't true either. They were good, but there are no words to describe how poor Dragons were.

I am glad Steff missed his sitter at the end as we did not even deserve an LBP. Well played Connacht though. Some nice offloads and looked much more dangerous with ball in hand.

Well... That was a shock, we were very, very poor.
I don't think we went threw 3 or more phases until 60 mins. I don't thi k it was down to individuals we were just poor on the whole and didn't bring the intensity or skill level of caunaught (oh jebus that's bad).

Sid needs a rest, Hughes needs to start and Jonny Evans needs a run at 9.

What annoyed me most was that in the second half, when we were building pressure and had Connacht conceding penalty after penalty, we kept opting for the scrum or the kick to touch and ended up coming away with nothing. If we'd taken kicks at goal, we'd have won.

Also, it was damning that Adam Hughes came on and showed everyone else how to run on to the ball. We were far too pedestrian. Toby played well, but not many others stood out.

Did Connacht play well? Yes, took their tries and otherwise did enough.

Another great result for Connacht, well done lads

Firstly congratulations to connacht, well deserved win.

Dragons well it just shows that our recent few wins have been quite lucky because this was the strongest team we had put out all season for a pro 12 match. What I saw was one of the worst performances i can remember. No structure, apparently no idea on how to break down defences and lets face it below par performances and no inspiration from our so called superstars. Toby was ok at times. Most players looked dissinterested in the fact they had a chance to close the gap on the blues. Very poor Dragons

We never play well with a strong team out probably because we have such a hang up about being favourites. Darren dropped a ball changing a winning team in retrospect. People bang on and on about the internationals dropping in intensity when they go back to their regions but the real issue is they are with team Wales so long they forget how to fit in to their own team.

With the Blues losing and playing really poorly, the dragons have missed a big opportunity. It is hard to believe a team that beats a strong Ospreys and Blues side then lose to Connacht with a strong team on paper. In a way I am now glad Tovey did not get picked as he may have been blamed for not showing any interest (see earlier posts) as it now sounds like others in the team have this problem.

Credit to Connacht. They deserve something.

"Dragons want a 10, 15, tight head and lock. They're looking at players in South Africa, Ireland, England and Wales"

Sounds like Dragons want Pienaar, Jared Payne, Afoa and Muller.

Hands off their ours.

You can keep Jamie Smith though.

Don't worry Kingshu, when the Dragons go for 'quality overseas players' it actually means we're getting third choice never-beens! Your overseas players are all pretty decent!

Latest news from RD twitter:

The Dragons are having talks with the Welsh Rugby Union about the possibility of signing certain overseas players.

The battle of the development regions.

red_stag wrote:The battle of the development regions.

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