Dragons open training sessions etc

First topic message reminder :

Seeing as the majority of the other Regions have a news thread, I guess Wales' poor relations should too.

First bit of good news is that the Dragons are hosting four open training sessions around the region. One in Caerphilly, one in Blaenavon, one in Ebbw Vale and one in Newport. This really is so positive and I guess it's linked to the new exec on the board making us more appealing for our region.

Secondly, it appears Tondi Chavhanga is able to stay for another season with us after his visa issues seem sorted (according to his twitter feed).

After the negative vibe of last season, it does seem that we are (at the minute) starting on a positive footing with the announcements coming from the region.

Morgannwg wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I am not arguing about sucsess at the regions, I just want you all to put yourelves in other people positions before you get on your soap box about them, if anything, as I have been in the situation and have now come around about it, it is only people like me who can get on their soap box, but you do not here me going on about it on here do you.

"its a bit like a spoilt child who has a millionaire farther telling a street urchin that he should be thankful for what he has got."

Yeah you aren't going on about it at all mind.

Lord, log onto a social networking site and join the Valleys Rugby page. Your whining will be welcomed with open arms.

What on earth are you on about ? You aught to grow up a little, all I am saying is that people who have not been through a situation themselves should not go on about people who have been through a paricular situation, people need to show some understanding to others before they have a go at them, thats all.

No Lord, read the statement you wrote (in italics). It's ridiculous, like the rest of your comments on the matter. Everyone has responded to you in an eloquent manner after you got on your high horse and played the victimised card. Now stop going on about it because apparently you don't do that.

Looks like the Dragons are awaiting the WRU to rubber stamp Iestyn Thomas as scrum coach.

That would be quite a coup. Gwent boy, too!

Why do they need the WRU to rubber stamp it, is it because the Dragons are half owned by the WRU?

Apparently the WRU need to approve all our regional coaches under the participation agreement

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19064605

Even Baber?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Even Baber?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Alun - I think the WRU will see how things go this season. News from all four regions about ticket sales is looking positive, with the trimmed down squads for most the regions (due to the cap) and what appears to be better marketing. It will be interesting to see that the financial standings of the regions will be come the end of the season. I appreciate that they will not be back in black, however I have a feeling they should all be making a step in the right direction.

[i]

SS: It has been reported that the Blues are delighted at their tickets sales, they state they are looking good with the move back to CAP being the reason for the success, they have sold a staggering 2500 season tickets!! I still have not heard if the Dragons have exceeded the blues numbers or not but I would not call the Blues sales as being great worth around £500K to date even with their higher prices compared with the other 3 regions. If the Dragons sales are a flop again it proves to me Regional rugby does not exist here in east Wales, we have two clubs with very limited support.

Alun you can't have that it's a total logical fallacy. But them that's what you eyed in the wool regional knockers seen to specialise in if i'm honest. There is a recession on you know and we're hardly the wealthiest nation even if we were all primarily rugby fans which we're not. Have you bought a season ticket yet for your region? If not why not? And what's this about Dragons sales flopping again supposed to mean?

I will tell you one thing, a lot of people are going to be surprised by the Dragons this year, this is the strongest team I have seen them have since the days of Mike Ruddock, I will put a marker down now, and say they will be challenging for the playoffs next season.

I'd love you to be right, Dowlais!

They have made some astute signings Luckless, and if they give the likes of Gerwin Price a chance in the forwards they will not go far wrong.

I heard Price was being linked to the Blues, but nothing official's been announced. He'd be a great signing for us and it would be a more natural progression from a Gwent club.

Gerwyn Price plays in the Dragons region therefore it is up to the Dragons to give him a chance, if no offers come from the region he is in then it is open season I am afraid.

I agree with that. We've let Rhys Buckley go and I don't think we've replaced him yet, so there's a place for another hooker.

Really wish I could make the Gwent select game but I'm preparing to move flat. Hope they have more beer than last time I went to the Men of Gwent 7's - they ran out half way through

I think I'm going to cancel going to a work's leaving do for the Zebre game - should be a riot

I don't know how to feel about the Zebre game. Is it the ideal opening fixture or a real potential banana skin? We haven't played them before so we won't know exactly what to expect and they'll be so pumped up to get a win in their first match in the Pro 12.

I'm excited about it - start of season, last weekend of August, hopefully a good turn out etc

As for the result, well, I expect to win, I think we should, whether we will is up to what spirit and work ethic is in the Dragon's camp.

Boys seem happy and enthusiastic on twitter anyway

I'm more nervous because it's a bit of a must-win game. After the way we finished last season, imagine what a p!sser it would be to lose at home to Zebre.

I agree, we need to win our home games. If we regularly beat the League champions there we need to beat the lower rated teams as a matter of course at home.

I'm more excited about what Gus can do at hooker to be honest always made an impact with his carrying no matter where he's ended up playing. Always thought hooker was his position. With Jabba and Parry I think it'd be harder than some think for Price to break into the Dragons side.

Are we trying to covert him to hooker? I didn't know that.

Yeah Luckless, I read it a while back. It was either that or back-row.

Yeah, for a while now apparently. I'm guessing thats why he's not played for the region for a while

Ah right, I assumed he was injured. He's always been good in the loose.

He would make a good backrow, a big solid lump of an openside. That said Hooker is probably the better option, and then he offers more cover as a TH/LH as well.

Played quite a few games at hooker for Bedwas and Pooler last season so should be ready.

Dont hold your breath waiting for Gus in a Dragons shirt...

He's worn that shirt a few times already bluesman.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Dont hold your breath waiting for Gus in a Dragons shirt...

What like don't wait till tomorrow?

We'll see.

He's had a few rough seasons, isn't going to be at the Dragons for long IMO unless something drastic happens.

thebluesmancometh wrote:We'll see.

He's had a few rough seasons, isn't going to be at the Dragons for long IMO unless something drastic happens.

Gus has recently signed a contract extension hasn't he?

Ye, but by the skin of his teeth!

Was told he wasn't wanted initially from what Ive heard from a first teamer. Head was shot.

Just to make a point though I like him, he could make a cracking hooker, and will be a top coach!!!

That's interesting as the Dragons have resigned him & invested in him as a hooker ( i agree he could be cracking ) when they presumably had an option on Gerwyn Price who every
one seems to be raving about (but not offering a contract to) mmmmm?

dragon999 wrote:That's interesting as the Dragons have resigned him & invested in him as a hooker ( i agree he could be cracking ) when they presumably had an option on Gerwyn Price who every
one seems to be raving about (but not offering a contract to) mmmmm?

If it was down to me, it would've been Price at 2 for the Dragons today, as at least he is a natural hooker. Gus had first crack of the whip today (though I don't know how he got on), although I imagine he'll be third choice hooker at best.

[quote="Risca Rev"]

dragon999 wrote:That's interesting as the Dragons have resigned him & invested in him as a hooker ( i agree he could be cracking ) when they presumably had an option on Gerwyn Price who every
one seems to be raving about (but not offering a contract to) mmmmm?

If it was down to me, it would've been Price at 2 for the Dragons today, as at least he is a natural hooker. Gus had first crack of the whip today (though I don't know how he got on), although I imagine he'll be third choice hooker at best.
[/quote Is Gerwyn that good then rev?,i've never seen him play

He's looked good for Crosskeys, but until he gets a shot with the Dragons, who knows. As I say he should've had a half today (with Gus a half too), as we know what Sam Parry and Steve Jones can do.