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]

I also read an article that Ebbw Vale were trying their hardest to get back into the Welsh Prem. They won the Championship but can't get in the prem as it's ringfenced til 2014. They've won 3 league son the bounce, and smashed the Championship last year. Would be good for the region to get them back in the prem:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/10377210.Ebbw_Vale_aim_for_return_to_top_flight_rugby/

[munkian]

Last time I went to Ebbw there was that garden show on with the wonky clock.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Wasn't the mascot for the garden festival called Griff?  

[munkian]

Wasn't the mascot for the garden festival called Griff?  

God knows, gotta be 20 years ago now ?

Worryingly, every train ticket website I've tried doesn't have services listed between Bristol and Ebbw Parkway ?

[Guest]

I believe it was Gryff, just so you know that it wasn't me!:

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I think the trains run between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff. Have a look for a two-part journey.

[GavinDragon]

i imagine theres a bar at the ground, if not there is a spoons in the town centre, although I will say it makes the spoons in the port look like a hilton.

The issue will be with transport, trains run from cardiff to ebbw. Or you can get on the train at Rogerstone, Risca, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth then Ebbw Vale.

However the station is about 2-3 mile from the ground at present so may need a taxi or bus into town.

HOWEVER the trainline is being extended up to the town centre which will be near EXP so if this becomes a regular thing that will help

[munkian]

i imagine theres a bar at the ground, if not there is a spoons in the town centre, although I will say it makes the spoons in the port look like a hilton.

The issue will be with transport, trains run from cardiff to ebbw. Or you can get on the train at Rogerstone, Risca, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth then Ebbw Vale.

However the station is about 2-3 mile from the ground at present so may need a taxi or bus into town.

HOWEVER the trainline is being extended up to the town centre which will be near EXP so if this becomes a regular thing that will help

It sounds absolutely perfect then....  

[Guest]

i imagine theres a bar at the ground, if not there is a spoons in the town centre, although I will say it makes the spoons in the port look like a hilton.

The issue will be with transport, trains run from cardiff to ebbw. Or you can get on the train at Rogerstone, Risca, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth then Ebbw Vale.

However the station is about 2-3 mile from the ground at present so may need a taxi or bus into town.

HOWEVER the trainline is being extended up to the town centre which will be near EXP so if this becomes a regular thing that will help

That's the main issue I had with going up there (access to ground) and it is easier for me to get to Ebbw, than Newport. I'm glad this is happening though.

Things are really starting to come together nicely off the field now. Great to see.

[Guest]

There seems to be a real push to 'embrace the region' publicly of late. I know that it's gone on behind the scenes for years as I've been loosely involved in some stuff through schools, a lot is done around the region that doesn't get publicised, but this off season seems to be a change in publicly embracing the region. That's great, but I wonder why it's taken so long? A new marketing team? The involvement of folk like Ebbw Vale's Kingsley Jones? The kit launch at Caldicot castle is a classic example of this. In previous years it would have been at RP or at a Newport based school, if at all (often just released to the shops). When you think of Gwent rugby you perhaps think of Newport, Ebbw Vale, Pontypool, Abertillery, etc. so I think it's great to involve the less rugby familiar areas such as those in Monmouthshire county borough to bring them more into the fold. Again, I wonder why all this has happened in the last few weeks. It's great but seems like a change in personnel/management/focus/ethos/direction, but I'm not sure which.

On the LV cup going regional - fantastic. The danger is always that those not given rugby in the wider region for so long then moan that it's a token gesture and that they only get the crap games. But I hope that it will be seen as a genuine attempt to grow the brand and strengthen regional ties. I'll drive up for the games. It will be a pain, but it's only a couple of games in the year. My only fear is that they're poorly attended. If, as often reported and claimed, few from 'wider Gwent' than Newport attend RP then logic would say that the vast majority of current RP fans would need to travel up from Newport or close by. Just as the excuse is that it is too difficult to get from the far flung corners of the region to Newport, so too will a lot of RP attenders find it difficult to get to Ebbw Vale (whether actual difficulty or perceived). You're then counting on a lot of fans who don't normally attend dragons matches to attend the LV games. Still, we have to start somewhere and hopefully if the attendances start low they will grow over the season and for years to come.

 

[bedfordwelsh]

Yeah there is no direct train to Ebbw from Newport have to go via Cardiff but remember guys the percieved difficulty in getting upto ECP goes both ways with getting to RP but Ebbw people have been slated in the past for not embracing their Region.

There has always been a lot going on behind the scenes in the Region and youngsters from the Region and not just Newport are regulalry used as mascots on match days.

Unfortunately a lot of the problem is still a generation/age thing, I have friends of my age (wrong side of 40) who point blank refuse to go to RP to watch the Dragons and again unfortunately I don't think many of them would go to ECP to watch them either, they would rather travel to Swansea or armchair support the O's.

As for increasing the fan base then itst he next generation they need to look at and by getting the kids involved and taking some games around the Region is one way forward also getting the players into the schools.

Toby has strong links with Ebbw and Kingsley still has a house down on the garden festival site so the chance is there now, also Lydiate played few seasons there to so if those players are used to inspire the kids then it can be done.

[GavinDragon]

x2

[Guest]

Guys from Newport could also bus from town to dodgy Rogey as well can't they? I know they sometimes run a bus service from Rogey into town. Probably a bit quicker than going into Cardiff and out again.

[GavinDragon]

yes there is a bus service from town to rogerstone station, trains get into rogerstone every hour on the hour (there or there abouts)

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Good man, Toby!

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/30170

[GavinDragon]

lets build the region around him!

How long have brewy and charteris got on their french deals? Lets get them back in awake the sleeping giant that is Gwent rugby  

[dragon999]

Brewy has one more year, Luke has one & the option of a third year i think - would be great to get these guys back.
Now the deal with Muller has fallen through Dragons are looking a bit weak at lock - Coombes,Nimmo,Jones,Sidoli & Groves mmmm we need another quality signing, Goffey would have been ok for a year

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Yep, we definitely need another lock.

[GavinDragon]

where is the official announcement that muller deal has gone through?

[snowy2]

No official announcement from Drags, Google Martin Muller on Wiki says signed for Lions after Newport deal fallen through, if you translate *5 note from article in Africaan he himself says he had signed for Newport but it fell through because there was a problem with the transfer of money that they could not resolve. Google translation not brilliant mind.

[maestegmafia]

He is in the Dragons Squad on their Website

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Mobile/Teams/Squad/Dragons

[munkian]

Pretty sure the Muller deal has fallen through.

I'd like Gough to have his last season at the Drags, would add a bit of dog to our pack

[maestegmafia]

Yes you're right. And a former Dragon too. Not sure what his or the Ospreys plans are considering his future...?

Very positive things being said by the Dragons on the BBC today.

"Toby signing shows he's confident that he can improve here," said Jones."

"It shows good intent from Martin Hazell and the board of the Dragons to fulfil their vision, which is to become the best region in Wales."

Excellent news for Dragons fans and a big warning to the rest of us, though one we are all pleased to see. I think no matter who else in Wales you support, the Dragons are often your second team.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23581390

[munkian]

And my season ticket is in the post - IIIIIIIIIIIIITSSSSSS CHRISSSSTMASSSSSSSS

[maestegmafia]

And my season ticket is in the post - IIIIIIIIIIIIITSSSSSS CHRISSSSTMASSSSSSSS

It will be interesting to see what can be done. There is plenty of potential, some recognised talent and a few players with plenty to prove in this squad...!

What are you thinking the first team will look like...????

[GavinDragon]

1. Price
2. Thomas
3. Chapparo
4. Coombes
5. Nimmo (wish it would be muller
6. Talei (when faletau available)
7. Waters
8. Faletau

9. Rees
10. Tovey
11. Harris
12. Dixon
13. Hughes
14. Amos
15. Evans

[The Saint]

I think Evans will be at 6 Gavin. I don't think Tovey will be walking back into the team either. 10 will probably be between Burton and Jones. Dixon is going to be a good 12 so I think you have that one right.

[maestegmafia]

I can't understand the employment of Burton?

He is not as good a player as Steffan Jones or Jason Tovey.

[GavinDragon]

I think prior to jason coming back it was a good decision as we did lose a couple of games due to both steffan and lewis robling going missing with the boot,

saint i think shanks will slip in when faletau is on welsh duty but i dont think he covered himself in glory while captain last year and needs tto find some form....

i dont necessarily think jason should walk into the team but IMO the kid still oozes class and if he has a good season (and we do as a whole) coul put some pressure on biggar priestland and patchell for a welsh call up....how blessed are we in wales!

[maestegmafia]

Tovey has been very unlucky to not get capped so far. Injury has denied him a few times.

I think everyone in Wales would love to see him at his best for the dragons and maybe Wales too.

Has Robling left the dragons now?

[GavinDragon]

i dont think so maes but will prob be used as a 12 when he does play

[maestegmafia]

i dont think so maes but will prob be used as a 12 when he does play

I wasn't overly impressed by him last season

[welshy824 (new)]

would have thought prydie instead of Harris who I don't really rate from what I have seen

[dragon999]

Lewis is still at the Dragons - He is very much a confidence player & as such suffered last season at 10 - When he was switched to the centre towards the end of the season i think he showed that he is actually a good player - will be interesting to see if he gets much game time this season in order that he can kick on,suspect he may get premiership starts often?

[GavinDragon]

would have thought prydie instead of Harris who I don't really rate from what I have seen

Will is another player who needs a good season after a poor season ouit last year. However I do rate him and if we get soem good front foot ball we may see some of the form that earned him his welsh caps

[pioden gorllewin]

1. Price
2. Thomas
3. Chapparo
4. Coombes
5. Nimmo (wish it would be muller
6. Talei (when faletau available)
7. Waters
8. Faletau

9. Rees
10. Tovey
11. Harris
12. Dixon
13. Hughes
14. Amos
15. Evans

apparently the dragons reneged on the muller deal. i'm guessing lyn & kingsley didn't like the look of him, or has someone else lined up.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Lewis Robling is so much better in midfield than he is at ten. He worked really well with Ross Wardle. Even so, I'd love to see a midfield of Jack Dixon and Adam Hughes. Hughes is wasted on the wing.

I want us to start with Jon Evans and see if Richie Rees can take the shirt from him. He should have to earn it. I wouldn't mind us starting with Steffan at outside half too and see if he rises to the challenge for the shirt.

[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.

I was wrong about the length of the contract but nice to see Lyn reads 606  

[dragon4life]

Muller has joined the Lions for the next super rugby season

[maestegmafia]

Lewis Robling is so much better in midfield than he is at ten. He worked really well with Ross Wardle. Even so, I'd love to see a midfield of Jack Dixon and Adam Hughes. Hughes is wasted on the wing.

I want us to start with Jon Evans and see if Richie Rees can take the shirt from him. He should have to earn it. I wouldn't mind us starting with Steffan at outside half too and see if he rises to the challenge for the shirt.

Pretty Exciting youthful backline with a bit of depth due to players being comfortable in a few positions... Looks like Evans and Tovey will be the elder statesman of the squad...!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

So much depends on how Chaparro goes at tight head, and the pack in general. If we can at least hold our own in the set piece, we can play some rugby. If we're getting shoved around and playing on the back foot, we'll still struggle.

[maestegmafia]

I agree on Chaparro, he is a bit of an unknown entity even though he has a couple of Pumas caps and spent time with Stade Francais, he has never really caught the eye.

All the markings of being a potentially great signing though.

This is the crux of the Dragons for 2013-14, potentially they look like a promising team, we could expect them to do well. But only the new season will really reveal whether they have the ability to really compete in the RP12

[bedfordwelsh]

3/4 seasons ago we had some very good home form and no one liked coming to RP and if they won then well they knew they had been in a game and had to fight hard for the win.

The past few seasons our home form has been poor as well and some temas have pretty much had the game handed to them by our poor form, we need to get RP back into sonething of a fortress and a place teams wont look forward to playing in.

[maestegmafia]

As mentioned above you need a tougher front five.

Four years ago the dragons lack players but their technical work was superb. They were the best coaches team in Wales and tough to beat.

Hopefully two qualities that Lyn and Kingsly will bring back.

[munkian]

The Saffer Lock transfer has fallen through, could be a blessing in disguise mind, seems rather injury prone at 25

[maestegmafia]

Still you have Coombes Adam Jones rob Sidoli and Nimmo.

That's not bad..!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's not bad, but Adam Jones had a poor season compared to the season before last, Nimmo still hasn't imposed himself on games and Rob Sidoli's no spring chicken.

[munkian]

Exactly. Goughie back please, need an enforcer, Nimmo doesn't seem to be what we expected

[pioden gorllewin]

The Saffer Lock transfer has fallen through, could be a blessing in disguise mind, seems rather injury prone at 25

Dragons pulled out of the deal, he was still planning on coming over. I'm guessing Kingsley & Lyn has someone else in mind for the lock position. Still think the Dragons need another lock to go with Coombes, Sidoli, A Jones, Nimmo, Groves etc...especially when Coombes gets called up to the Welsh squad.

Be interesting to see if Nimmo up's his game this season coming into the final year of his contract.

[munkian]

Probably to do with his lack of fitness I guess.

Whoever they have in mind they'd better hurry up

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