Gwent Dragons 2013/14 thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

A place for general Dragons chat, etc.

After renewing my season ticket recently, and with Lyn Jones being unveiled as the new DoR (yeah I know, some people thinks he's gash, but whatever), plus the training facilities at Ystrad Mynach, I feel a bit of a buzz and optimism around the Dragons. Saying that I do generally get a feeling of optimism pre season every year which usually goes by about mid October!

Just watched the Wales U20's get to the final of the Jnr World Championships and a couple of lads looked really good - Jack Dixon a rock in midfield, Hallam Amos an elusive runner at FB/wing and Ieuan Jones looking like a very good prospect at 8. Will be good to see how the go next season for the Dragons. I think their regional appearances have certainly helped them in this Jnr cup in terms of experience. Looking forward to seeing them play with the likes of Faletau, Coombes, Talei, T Rhys Thomas, etc. next season.

Anyone want to make a stab at our strongest matchday 15/23 for next season? Will have a stab myself after a bit of thought.

[Guest]

Really Dragon? Are you pulling our legs?! Cardiff colours - surely not???

Don't be so soft  

It'll be black with a hint of red again, I would think. Why else would we head more that way every season?

[Guest]

Needs to be black alone really. Best two clubs wear black (mainly) in our region

[Guest]

Have I been caught hook, line and sinker?! Doh!

I agree that the two best teams in the region play in black. But I don't think we should change colours each time a team does well! Lets settle with some colours and stick with them to 'develop the brand'.

[dragon4life]

Really Dragon? Are you pulling our legs?! Cardiff colours - surely not???

Ive seen the kit

Don't be so soft  

It'll be black with a hint of red again, I would think. Why else would we head more that way every season?

[Hound of Harrow]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Good luck for the season Dragons.



I might pop over for the LV= game. Should I tape over the Wasps badge on my black and gold hooped shirt? I might be mistaken for a Newport RFC fan.

[Stone Motif]

Really Dragon? Are you pulling our legs?! Cardiff colours - surely not???

Except didin't Gwent traditionally played in Dark Blue? If it's true, this will no doubt be panned by all and sundry as 'The Dragons failing to embrace the rest of Gwent" I'm sure.

Unless someone is confusing the new Pooler away kit (paid for by the region I may add) for the new Dragons kit...

[Guest]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Good luck for the season Dragons.



I might pop over for the LV= game. Should I tape over the Wasps badge on my black and gold hooped shirt? I might be mistaken for a Newport RFC fan.

Cheers Hound, always a pleasure chatting to you. I've got a bit of a soft spot for Wasps in the Aviva so hope you do well too. I'm feeling slightly more positive about the coming season for the Dragons than I have in a while. Hopefully they'll deliver and keep me happy! (By 'deliver' I mean not finishing bottom or 2nd bottom!)

Actually, I'd like to see us really focus on the league and try to finish 3rd (or better) welsh region. Not that I think we'll do well in the HC the following year, but just to develop that inter-Wales competition, attract a few players to Rodney Parade, make the other regions fight for a HC place, etc.

 

[Hound of Harrow]

We've had some good contests in recent seasons, Griff. Very lucky at 'Dave' last season, when Cudd was a complete pain in the arse for us all game. He got motm if I recall.

And the HC game at CCS about 3 seasons back when your t/h got badly crocked and the  Scottish ref was oblivious. We were yelling at the officials to stop the game, but play went on for about two minutes before the officials realised the severity of the injury.

Plus the snowbound return game at our place (which I couldn't make) that had Wasps fans praising the Dragons fans who turned up and made an atmosphere in a near empty stadium.

[munkian]

Wasps - The ONLY true 5th region  

[LordDowlais]

I was watching the highlights of the Newport County V Aston Villa game yesterday and there looks to be a new stand behind the goal area where the hospitality boxes are, I have not heared any mention of this being built or were my eyes playing tricks on me ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

News to me, Dowlais. I didn't even know County were playing Villa.

[Guest]

There are new seats there at that end. Don't know if we will use them (I don't think anyway). In theory it's a new stand, called the Syntner Stand (or something like that) who are a big sponsor for the County and I think it is more for the football.

[Guest]

11/10/13 19:15 P2 Newport Gwent Dragons   v   Rugby Mogliano Rodney Parade

19/10/13 15:00 P2 Bath Rugby   v   Newport Gwent Dragons Recreation Ground

6/12/13 19:15 P2 Newport Gwent Dragons   v   Bordeaux-Begles Rodney Parade

12/12/13 19:30 P2 Bordeaux-Begles   v   Newport Gwent Dragons Stade André Moga

9/10/11/12 Jan
P2 Newport Gwent Dragons   v   Bath Rugby Rodney Parade

16/17/18/19 Jan
P2 Rugby Mogliano   v   Newport Gwent Dragons Stadio Maurizio Quaggia

[Guest]

At least the Dragons can start the Amlin off with a bang. Easiest game first, but then probably our hardest game second.

[Guest]

I was watching the highlights of the Newport County V Aston Villa game yesterday and there looks to be a new stand behind the goal area where the hospitality boxes are, I have not heared any mention of this being built or were my eyes playing tricks on me ?

Well I know that with the new stand they moved the pitch by about 10 metres (or was it 10 foot? ) towards the clubhouse. Therefore, there would be 10 meters/10 foot extra under the old existing hospitality boxes for more seating. However, I haven't heard anything about it. It was traditionally the area for fans with disabilities.

[dragon999]

It is indeed called the "Sytner" end for the wendyball - seating installed underneath the "pidgeon lofts" which gives the stadium more of a stadium feel - think it was done before the end of last season - disabled incorporated in there as well i think

[XR]

Saw the highlights of the County/Villa game and it seems the Dregs have a decent pitch this year. Think they've struck gold with County, getting them in halves the maintenance costs for the pitch.

[Guest]

Saw the highlights of the County/Villa game and it seems the Dregs have a decent pitch this year. Think they've struck gold with County, getting them in halves the maintenance costs for the pitch.

I believe it was a Football Trust grant for the pitch gcBlues, so cost the Dragons zero! Even better!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm still a bit concerned that they might not have taken the rugby into account when they did up the pitch. It'll need to stand up to more than the average football pitch has to.

[dragon999]

Interestingly, Mark Jones the head of ops at RP tweeted his concern for the playing surface over the season stating yesterdays match was maybe a month too early & wished the ground staff had another month for it to "bed down" - We shall see?

[XR]

Saw the highlights of the County/Villa game and it seems the Dregs have a decent pitch this year. Think they've struck gold with County, getting them in halves the maintenance costs for the pitch.

I believe it was a Football Trust grant for the pitch gcBlues, so cost the Dragons zero!  Even better!

Lovely bit of business then, seems that slowly but surely the welsh regions are starting to actually function properly and have priorities...it's just taken us and the dregs a little bit more time  

[Guest]

Having seen the wife beaters for this season, there probably is blue on the kit. Should've realised, as I'd seen this before coombsy posted it. Nice blue though, wish I was going to the launch tomorrow. Stupid work.

http://twitter.com/Coombs_A/status/362294221006319616/photo/1

[The Saint]

Looks like he was correct. The kit is dark blue and black. Looks pretty awful to be honest, I much prefer the previous.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The away shirt is blue (more French navy than dark blue) and black. I like it.

The home shirt is the same as previous seasons: black, with bits of red and yellow / amber.

[The Saint]

Yeah must be the away kit then. I haven't looked into it, I just seen a picture of Lewis Evans wearing it via social media.

[Scrumpy]

Is Toby staying or going?

I would have thought that a deal would have been done by now either way?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

This coming season is his last under his current contract.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23523903

[The Saint]

One particular French club has shown interest, as have Bath. I hear Toby is keen on the move to France, so Lyn Jones will have a job trying to convince him to stay.

[Guest]

The new away kit is nice IMO. Blue and black (with gold fleur de lis) is the old Monmouthshire (I.e. the area that became Gwent) colours. If you google 'Monmouthshire flag' you'll see what I mean.

[munkian]

I've not read anywhere that Toby is 'keen' to move to France....

He's one of our most loyal players.

[XR]

If i were Lyn Jones and toby wanted to leave, i'd say he should sign a 3 year contract and then leave not at the end of this season, but next so the region can get a sizeable transfer fee.

[wrfc1980]

The Dragons chairman has come out today to say if money is a factor Toby will be off as they won't even try and compete with what clubs in England/France can pay.

[The Saint]

I've not read anywhere that Toby is 'keen' to move to France....

He's one of our most loyal players.

Why would you read it anywhere? The info came from a source close to Toby... So in other words, Toby told him.

[The Saint]

The Dragons chairman has come out today to say if money is a factor Toby will be off as they won't even try and compete with what clubs in England/France can pay.

I think you mean just France.

[munkian]

I've not read anywhere that Toby is 'keen' to move to France....

He's one of our most loyal players.

Why would you read it anywhere? The info came from a source close to Toby... So in other words, Toby told him.

Humble apologies, I didn't realise you were one of those elite internet people 'in the know' that doesn't need anything to back up your comments other than 'an inside source'  

As he's recently bought a house and has strong family ties to Welsh rugby I don't see him brushing up on his French any time soon

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Fortunately, we have Ieuan Jones coming through even if Toby does decide to up sticks, plus we've just signed Talei.

[The Saint]

I've not read anywhere that Toby is 'keen' to move to France....

He's one of our most loyal players.

Why would you read it anywhere? The info came from a source close to Toby... So in other words, Toby told him.

Humble apologies, I didn't realise you were one of those elite internet people 'in the know' that doesn't need anything to back up your comments other than 'an inside source'  

As he's recently bought a house and has strong family ties to Welsh rugby I don't see him brushing up on his French any time soon

Don't be a childish pedant pal. The source is his brother, I work with him. That's a 100 times more reliable than some rumour from the Western Mail. The house in Pontypool(?) was purchased for his parents and he still lives with them. He wouldn't need to speak French to go there either.

[munkian]

C'mon, it was sarcasm rather than pedantry.

He'd need to learn some French, they aren't famous for enjoying speaking English.

If Mike Phillips can manage it I'm sure Faletau can

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The source is his brother

That'll be Moby Faletau.  

[The Saint]

C'mon, it was sarcasm rather than pedantry.

He'd need to learn some French, they aren't famous for enjoying speaking English.

If Mike Phillips can manage it I'm sure Faletau can

I can't really tell via an internet forum. In Paris pretty much every French person speaks fluent English, not so sure about the south of France. I've come across a few French students who speak the language quite well though.

Phillips has been our best 9 for a while though. The Lions tour showed that age isn't really on his side, it's caught up with him and I think it's in Wales' best interests to look for another 9 (please let it be Gareth Davies). Phillips will probably still get picked all season, that's how Gatland works.

[GavinDragon]

really like the reasons behind the away kit, trying to invoke the 'gwent' history and trying to market the region to a relatively wealthy area i (Monmouth, Caldicot, Chepstow) who have little previous top level club history like ebbw vale and therefor have nothing against newport rfc.

very shrewd marketing by the dragons IMO

[GavinDragon]

And it has just been announced in the gus that the dragons want to play LV games at EXP!



 

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I think it's in Wales' best interests to look for another 9 (please let it be Gareth Davies).

Gareth Davies and Jon Evans would be my two to fight it out for the shirt.

That's fantastic news about taking games to Eugene Cross Park (I'm guessing Kingsley had a hand in that). I hope they accept it and we take games to other grounds in the future.

[GavinDragon]

I hope they accept too LP. Itd be great if they could arrange it as a double header when ebbwvale are playing at home so fans stay on to watch the dragons or that we offer a ticket that includes both games so ebbw vale get some income. Don't know how feasible they'd be just thinking out loud.

[munkian]

What the ground capacitiy/infrastructure like ?

Will away supporters and the Rodney regulars be able to get to and from there easily on a Friday night after work ?

More importantly, is there a bar ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Will away supporters and the Rodney regulars be able to get to and from there easily on a Friday night after work ?

When has it been a consideration whether Dragons fans from Ebbw Vale can get to and from Rodney Parade easily for a Friday night match after work?

[munkian]

People have jobs in Ebbw Vale ?  

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10587706.Dragons_want_to_play_cup_away_from_Rodney_Parade/

link to article.

regarding the ground there is this section from the article

'After making a successful bid to the Heads of the Valleys fund, Ebbw Vale installed a new floodlights system at their council-owned home that meets television broadcasting requirements.'

From wikipedia the capacity is 8k but how up to date that is I dont know

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Cross_Park

[GavinDragon]

munkian I work in Ebbw Vale my friend (although I do commute) and I can tell you there is an awful lot going on up here in terms of SME start ups and the area has been given a massive boost by the Circuit of Wales to go alongside alot of new re-generation on 'the works' site as well as an extension of the railway line.

[munkian]

Yes, yes, yes, econimics and growth aside, what about the beer ?  

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