N-G Dragons vs Glasgow Warriors

GlasgowWarriors:

Murchie McGuigan Bennett Dunbar van der Merwe Weir Pyrgos; Reid MacArthur Welsh Swinson Ryder Eddie Barclay Wilson (c)

Subs: Price Fainga'anuku Low Gray Strauss Matawalu Wight Thomson

And the Messiah gets a start at last!

Surprised to see Richie back... Unless that's Junior?

I think all the rumours about Weir going to Edinburgh have been wrong... Only man from Glasgow I see ending up there is Wight!

And DTH is back!!! Glasgow really really really need to get him signed up for next year....

Dunbar at 12 instead of 13 looks good to me

10 Weir
12 Dunbar
13 Bennett

is a combination I've been wanting to see for a while now

Ah yes, Bennett returns to save the faithful, just in time for Easter.

Now where's that palm leaf emoticon when you need it?

That's Ash Wed for you, Bru!!

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Surprised to see Richie back... Unless that's Junior?

I think all the rumours about Weir going to Edinburgh have been wrong... Only man from Glasgow I see ending up there is Wight!

And DTH is back!!! Glasgow really really really need to get him signed up for next year....

Hope you're right, UiG, and I suspect you are - Wight to Embra in return for Hunter, that gives Jackson & Weir, with Hunter and Russell

Bennett was been outstanding for the Under 20s (certainly against Italy) and deserves his chance.

Price on the bench then.. It will be interesting to see how he goes after many people have called for us to sign him.

How confident are you Glasgow?
From a dragons view it's a must win. We've built abit of confidence with three wins although we haven't been completely convincing. I fancy us to edge it but I can see it being very tight.

The Glasgow pack is close to full strength, most of the guys have been regulars this season. Back a bit lighter but DTH is a proven finisher and sure we have the Messiah, who just happens to be in a good bit of form!

It'll be a tricky fixture, I suspect, and close either way. League places are often not well-reflected in the outcome of Warriors vs Dragons battles! Hopefully Glasgow's strength in depth this year is much improved on previous

Pat_Mustard wrote:Dunbar at 12 instead of 13 looks good to me

10 Weir
12 Dunbar
13 Bennett

is a combination I've been wanting to see for a while now

Same here Pat. I am very glad to see Dunbar back at 12, he had much more of an impact there last season than he has showed at 13 this year. Hopefully Weir won't be to rusty and Bennett will get a chance to display the same sort of form that he showed against the Italians.

Up front the pack looks strong. It is interesting to see that Gray jnr is favoured over Nick campbell on the bench. Given the game time I think Campbell could offer a lot, indeed I thought he played quite well last weekend.

Very exciting news re: Mark Bennett. Will need to check whether this is on Alba.

Slightly surprised that Matawalu isn't being given another start, but Pyrgos probably needs a game having sat on the Scotland bench for a couple of weeks. Need to keep him match sharp, plus Matawalu will be an utter nightmare for the Dragons coming off the bench.

Also delighted to see DTH back. He'll be key for Glasgow in the push for the play-offs.

Edinburgh take note - that's 14 out of 15 players qualified to play for Scotland starting this game, with several promising young Scots in the squad.

Apparently it's on Alba

Why is Strauss on da bench ?

I suspect it's just a case of rotation, plus Strauss and Matawalu coming off the bench gives you some handy impact should you need to step things up a notch.

Oh to have those options.

Edinburgh had Hamish Watson as impact sub last weekend.

alive555 wrote:Why is Strauss on da bench ?

The bench needs a good chibbing and someone to show it who is boss - Strauss is yer man

I wouldn't want to deny FES exposure to this piece on the Messiah by Smithers Ferrie in the Herald today:

Bennett primed for centre stage with Glasgow Warriors
Thursday 14 February 2013

Long before Stuart Hogg emerged as a player with the skills and pace to transform the attacking capability of Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, the name of another youngster was being bandied about with some excitement.

So much so that by the time Glasgow got around to making Mark Bennett an offer two years ago after giving him a taste of what was then Magners League rugby, one of the biggest clubs in Europe had already made him one that he could not refuse.

Things may not have gone perfectly for the young Ayrshireman at Clermont Auvergne, ruptured knee ligaments soon after he joined them leading to a six-month lay off. He returned to action to help their under-23 side win their league, scoring a try in the final, but returned to Glasgow on loan earlier this season and has had to be patient again.

What feels like an overdue return to Glasgow colours will end tomorrow evening, however, after he was named in their starting line-up for the potentially crucial visit to Newport-Gwent Dragons on the back of a man-of-the-match performance for Scotland's under-20 side in last Friday's win over Italy.

"He's worth the wait," Gregor Townsend, Warriors' head coach, claimed yesterday. "Physically, he is back to the level, or past the level, that he was before his injury because he did take a while to recover – an ACL is the worst injury you can have and it has taken him a while to get back to top pace. I've seen him at training and with Stirling in the British & Irish Cup, when I saw his game against Bedford and he was probably the best player on the field. He has carried that on to the 20s and has earned his opportunity."

Harking back to his own experience of spending five years in France, Townsend believes that a more rounded player and individual will be on view than represented Glasgow two years ago.

"He has impressed me with the way he set about working to improve from when I was first involved with him a couple of years ago. He had undoubted abilities, acceleration, an eye for a gap, strong in the contact. What I think he has added to his game over the last season with Clermont is a linking ability and his catching and passing.

"His experience at 18 years old to go out there . . . as a life experience he would have had to grow up quite quickly as well as learning a new language, adapting to new people and coaching systems. He will be a much more mature person."

Whether or not that would have happened anyway, given Bennett's precocious talent, is certainly worthy of debate. After all, without ever leaving the Warriors, former Scotland under-20s team-mate Hogg, who was relatively unknown when Bennett faced Leinster for Glasgow in May 2011, has, meantime, made such progress that he is now considered Scotland's strongest contender for a place on this season's British & Irish Lions tour.

Admittedly, Bennett, who turned 20 last week, benefited from training with some of Europe's finest players, but while he was away Hogg was playing against others, pitched into the Pro12 as he was at the start of last season, then the national side midway through it.

Either way, the prospect of both performing for many years to come in a Scotland back line that has at last begun to look as if it carries real menace, is mouthwatering.

While Bennett shares the view that he has gained in some ways from his time in France, he is now effectively a free agent who acknowledges that he has still to prove that it benefited his rugby. "It was the first time that I had been away from home, so it has definitely helped me as a person and if it has helped my rugby then that will be an added bonus," he said.

"It was a different style playing on the hard pitch all the time, a bit more free-flowing. It brought on the skills and I did a lot of skill work and with the guys who were round about it was hard not to learn from them."

Having returned to Scotland to get additional game time, it has not been ideal that, having been back in Scotland for three months, he is only making his return to Pro12 action now. He is philosophical.

"It has been frustrating but at the same time the team has been playing well so it has not really been as frustrating as it would have been if we were not going so well. I have been playing most weeks with Stirling and then the last couple of weeks I have been playing with the under-20s so I have been getting some game time."

His inclusion in Glasgow's starting XV is one of six changes made to the side that registered a bonus point win over Zebre in Italy last weekend with Henry Pyrgos, Dunc Weir and Pat McArthur all returning from international duty, while James Eddie and Canadian international winger DTH van der Merwe are also recalled.

Townsend noted that Bennett will be the 50th player to represent Glasgow this season, a demonstration of how the club's resources have been transformed, bringing a depth of squad that, in turn, means they must be expected to sustain their challenge to host a Pro12 play-off match for the first time.

Good article, and nice to finally see someone legitimately questioning whether the move to Clermont was the right thing to do, in particular drawing comparison to how Stuart Hogg has developed.

Where have I heard that before?

I'm not sure there's anything particularly philosophical about that last quote though.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:Good article, and nice to finally see someone legitimately questioning whether the move to Clermont was the right thing to do, in particular drawing comparison to how Stuart Hogg has developed.

Where have I heard that before?

FES + FERRIE + =

It is VD after all, GC!

Any chance you could edit the title of the thread, Asbo? I'm all for welcoming visitors, but we don't stand much of a chance if we only field one player!

Oh crikey, Lucky, hadn't noticed that! Good spot and I'll invert the names while I'm at it, as it is at Rodney Parade

PS hope you're keeping well

I fancy Glasgow to win this, despite our mini revival. There's a reason why they're second despite them missing players at various times of the season. That said, it could be a good game given our recent confidence and I would expect us to be very competitive.

I'll pass proper judgement when Darren names his team later.

Girlfriend will be attending her colleagues birthday alone on Friday, no way I'm missing the chance to see this midfield in action. Whenever I've seen clips of Bennett (Ayr, U18s, Clermont U23s, U20s) I've been impressed and hope he does enough to justify his place for the rest of the season. Plus I much prefer Dunbar at 12, 8/10 times he'll get over the gainline and help generate momentum.

He may not have made the impact that Hogg has but long-term I think his decision to go to Clermont will serve Bennett well.

Is Welsh considered a TH now? Much prefer he was left at LH and provided Grant with genuine competition for the club and country jersey.

Looking forward to seeing Gray Jnr getting some game-time, looks like he'll be a cracking player.

What's the deal with Horne? Still injured?

I'm good thanks, As - I hope I'll still feel that way after tomorrow's match!

I imagine we'll be playing Jon Evans and Steffan Jones, so it'll be two exciting young half-back pairings facing each other tomorrow, although a lot of it will come down to which pair gets front-foot ball. How depleted are the Warriors up front?

Dragons team to face Glasgow Warriors
Dan Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Tom Prydie, Steffan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Ieuan Jones, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c), Adam Jones, Ian Nimmo, Nathan Buck, Hugh Gustafson, Owen Evans.

Replacements;
Sam Parry, Aaron Coundley, Nathan Williams, Josh Tyler, Jevon Groves, Wayne Evans, Adam Hughes, Hallam Amos

Great to have Adam Hughes available from the bench.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:It is VD after all, GC!

Hopefully after this game FES and Bennett can have their long overdue Make-Up Sex.

Decent team really. Obviously our front row can be a mixed bag. It's not a bad bit of backs cover either, but I don't get why we are currently going with two looseheads on the bench.

Glad this one is on tv, as I'm unable to make RP again this season.

How about the double-header, Rev, are you around for that?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I'm good thanks, As - I hope I'll still feel that way after tomorrow's match!

I imagine we'll be playing Jon Evans and Steffan Jones, so it'll be two exciting young half-back pairings facing each other tomorrow, although a lot of it will come down to which pair gets front-foot ball. How depleted are the Warriors up front?

Lucky - you've been quiet here recently - hope all is well.

In answer to your question, the Glasgow pack isn't much depleted at all.

Front row - Glasgow's best young loosehead prospect, although needs to improve his scrum technique (Reid), the best hooker in Scotland IMHO (MacArthur) and Glasgow's second best loosehead appearing on the tight side (Welsh). Glasgow's first choice tighthead (Moray Low) is on the bench if Welsh starts to struggle, which he might just coming back from injury.

Second row - Swinson and Ryder are arguably the form choices in their positions (notwithstanding Big Al)

Back row - something of a journeyman in Eddie at blind but he put in a very good showing in the Scotland A side that beat the Saxons last week, Barclay at 7 is one of the best in the NH but is only recently returned from injury, Wilson won Man of the Match and captained Scotland A in their Saxons win.

I've heard great things about MacArthur.

He's exceptionally accomplished for such a young player - strong as an ox and a very accurate line-out thrower.

The other thing worth mentioning is that the big beardie beastie Josh Strauss (our first choice 8, who can also play 6) lurks on the bench with Jonny "yes, yes, my brother is Ritchie" Gray there at lock cover. Gray was captain of the Scotland U20s who just narrowly lost out to their English counterparts last week.

Am very interested in Jon Evans and Steffan Jones - what can you tell us about them?

Jon Evans is lively. Looks to snipe and is fairly zippy. Steff is fairly good. There's sometimes a worry with all our flyhalves that they can be charged down. Steff does have question marks over his defence, but seems to have for better at this in recent weeks.

I thought Scotland U20s beat England the other week? Or am I thinking of the A side?

Steffan's been in and out of the side this season (more out than in until recently). His goalkicking is usually excellent - it won the game for us against the Ospreys in the Low Value cup not long ago - but he was all over the shop against Treviso last Friday. But he scored our first try in that game and he's scored a few others (one against the Blues, I think). As you can see, he's quite hit and miss, but he's a talent and he needs a run of games I think.

Jon Evans has been in superb form this season and if he played for any of the other regions he'd be in the Wales Six Nations squad. He always seems to take the right option and he does everything well. He's signed up for another few seaons, which is great.

A side, Lucky

Yeah Jonny Evans and Steffan Jones are worth me getting off my backside n getting over Dave.
Jonny should be in the Welsh squad like Luckless said. Steffan has a lot of talent but he's behind a poor front five. Both have a lot of potential and I Jones at 8 is a great prospect.

Sadly we always have you g players coming through but no quality around them.

Looking forward to the game!

[quote="funnyExiledScot"]Very exciting news re: Mark Bennett. Will need to check whether this is on Alba.

Fes the game is on BBC2 Wales up about ch 961 or so. You wont hear "Glaschu furra linee !" but you do get to hear the Welsh commentators crying in despair.

In fairness GC, Ryan Wilson is our first choice 8 now, especially as he's in such good form!

It's the back line that has me excited for this game. Pyrgos is playing well, Duncan has to show her can control an attacking line. Dunbar and the Messiah is very exciting and DTH will score if you give him any room... And then we have McGuigan.....

McGuigan took his chances last week UiG !

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:McGuigan took his chances last week UiG !

Agreed. I make fun of Barry and his permatan as much as the next exile but he certainly grabbed a brace last week.

On the back of a fair few feic-ups as well tho, lads - knock-on from kick-off, etc. Think he's more of an Embra type player - we should ship him over and have ... Farndale ... in return perhaps?

Lets swap him with Tonks who looks a good player

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Lets swap him with Tonks who looks a good player

C21st, grand idea, that sounds like a fair trade

You can have Francis. Done.

We are also willing to swap Peter Murchie for a giant white chocolate Toblerone.

I'm quite a fan of white chocolate.

I'd swap Mike Penn for a stale box of Black Magic.

Change to the squad, Low is out and Kalman is on the bench. Kalman's wife is expecting a baby anytime soon, so an EDP prop has traveled down in case Ed gets the call and has to leave. I assume they mean gets the call before the game, as opposed to leaving 5 minutes into it!

That's bad news about Low - hope nothing too serious. We'll need him next Sunday with Euan Murray busy in church.

Big opportunity for Welsh here - the fact he covers both sides (in theory, although I prefer him on the loosehead side) gives him a great chance of making the Scotland bench next Sunday.

Euan Murray out and Murray Low injured gives us problems.

Cross and Grant to start, with Welsh and Dickinson on the bench? Doesn't fill me with much confidence.

Low has a bug, possibly the same thing Seymour had recently. Don't see it keeping him out of the Ireland game.

Starting to enjoy Dragons games again, not because we won a few but we actually have some players worth watching.. For the first half of the season it was the faletau show.

Looking forward to a tough game.