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.

[dragon999]

Todays announcements are significant in a new dawn at RP - a bit of ambition at last - if we get Hudson & Franck, Dragons will be much more competative (not world beaters) but so much better - Goffey,not too sure about,hoping that the deal with Muller hasn't fallen through?
            kind of in a rugby daze today - not to mention Danny skippering the Lions WOW

[dragon4life]

1.Price
2.Thomas
3.Chapparo
4.Coombs
5.Muller
6.Talei
7.Evans
8.Falateu
9.Rees
10.Tovey
11.Amos
12.Dixon
13.Leach
14.Prydie
15.Evans
Bench: Parry, Buck, Way, Nimmo, Waters, J.Evans, Burton,  Harris

My starting 15 with subs
Thoughts?

[youngguns6]

Wouldn't grumble if I was heading over to see that team.
I'd might be tempted to get Hughes involved somewhere. 
You can see why we signed Burton and Rees, such little experience in the backline. 

Going to be a great battle for the 9 and 10 spots.

[dragon999]

1.Price
2.Thomas
3.Chapparo
4.Coombs
5.Muller
6.Talei
7.Evans
8.Falateu
9.Rees
10.Tovey
11.Amos
12.Dixon
13.Leach
14.Prydie
15.Evans
Bench: Parry, Buck, Way, Nimmo, Waters, J.Evans, Burton,  Harris

My starting 15 with subs
Thoughts?

Lewis Evans is not a 7 - got to be Waters or Cudd - difficult to argue with the rest:D

[dragon4life]

When are they putting a roof on north terrace?

[The Saint]

Talei will be an impact sub. That 6 jersey belongs to Evans.

[dragon4life]

I think talei will be 8 most of the time because falateau will hardly be there

[Stone Motif]

I think talei will be 8 most of the time because falateau will hardly be there

Actually Toby is one of the few Team Wales players who pays his regional dues. His recovery powers are freakish apparently, Warburton reckoned he doesn't even ache after a game. He will turn out for the Dragons a fair bit next season don't worry.

[youngguns6]

We seem to have some genuine selection headaches.
Backrow and halfbacks are looking very strong to me. Centres don't look the best but we've only seen them behind a beaten pack with bad ball. I really hope we get back to playing good rugby this season. Hopefully players like J Evans will keep progressing and claim a Welsh spot.

[youngguns6]

Can anyone tell me what J Tovey and DE's relationship is like?

DE stopped playing him to let steff and Lewis get some game time once jase had decided he was off.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Youngguns, I think that was just a sensible decision with the future in mind rather than spite. He knew he'd be without Tovey, so he wanted to see which of Steffan and Lewis weould be the better selection for the following season. That's how I saw it, anyway.

[munkian]

Agree on Faletau, he wanted to play for the Dragons as soon as he returned from the RWC but the coaches had to tell him to get some rest, the man is a machine.

[munkian]

When are they putting a roof on north terrace?

Basically if the council agree that county can take the one off their old ground and move it to the Dave

[youngguns6]

Luckless, yeah I saw it that way to but I do recall Tovey winging on twitter about not playing.

Let's get the boring lions done n get this exciting season started! 

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

[dragon4life]

Is Darren Edwards still head coach? or has he moved to backs coach

[dragon999]

I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

I'm in the Bisley - love it there,best move i ever made - the hospitality bolt on is good too as we have access to a bar & food.Atmosphere is fine

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm going to be in block D this coming season, which is quite central. I paid a fiver to upgrade to the Bisley for one match a season or two ago and we were out towards the North stand, they weren't great seats and it was quieter than I was used to. But it didn't take half as long to get served!

[Guest]

I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

I was a Hazell Terrace regular for 14 years, had a year off last year when some of the boys moved over to the new Bisley Stand, and have now got a season ticket in the Bisley for the first time. I've had a go there a few times towards the end of the season before last (paid a fiver to upgrade I think) - the atmos was obviously not as good for the quiet games, but I watched the Scarlets game from that side and it was bouncing! Also, being a shortish chap at around 5'9" I was regularly blocked from seeing the try line over in the Hazell! No such problems in the Bisley. And the bar was lightening quick to get served at last time I was there.

Genuinely excited - really looking forward to it! The year off has done me well and has recharged my batteries.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I am looking forward to being on the Bisley, but it's just going to be strange not being on the Hazell. Maybe I'll pop over there for the odd game - can you downgrade and they give you a fiver?

[Guest]

Now you've switched, you're not welcome back for one minute Luckless

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I knew it!

[dragon4life]

Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

[munkian]

Pretty sure he is still head coach...for now.

I've re-newed my North Terrace season ticket and got my mate one too- bargain

[Guest]

Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

How does the pecking order work? I know it's not like the army with rank and hierarchy but who is 'superior' out of Edwards and Kingsley? Head coach Edwards sounds more superior to Assistant Coach Kingsley, but Kingsley is far more experienced. Interesting to see how they iron this out.

[doctornickolas]

Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

How does the pecking order work? I know it's not like the army with rank and hierarchy but who is 'superior' out of Edwards and Kingsley? Head coach Edwards sounds more superior to Assistant Coach Kingsley, but Kingsley is far more experienced. Interesting to see how they iron this out.

Kingsley is not there full time, as he is still head coach of Russia so at the moment i guess Edwards is higher up the chain. He still has the head coach title but i think the relity is he will be backs coach and thats it.

[dragon4life]

Who would you go for at 10 Jones, Tovey or Burton?

[Guest]

Just re watching the Lions v Rebels game and they mentioned Rory Sidey the Rebels centre as being ex Dragons. I have a vague, vague memory of the name but cannot really remember him at the Dragons. Was he any good (obviously not!). How much did he feature???

[dragon999]

i would imagine it would be Burtons shirt at the start of the season & up to the guys to take it off him - at last,competition for places!!!

[dragon999]

Sidey did not impress much & had a reputation as a whiner - thought he was annonymous today

[The Saint]

During his spell at the Dragons he always had a good work rate, but was fairly average.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The name rings a faint bell - but if Miles Harrison hadn't mentioned the Dragons link, I'm not sure it would have rung a bell at all.

[pioden gorllewin]

Do remember him, wasn't he welsh qualified through a grandfather or something? Remember him being a big athletic direct runner of a back.

Talking about Welsh Qualified Aussies, noticed their lock was called Cadeyrn Neville. That's a very strong welsh name, think it means battle king in Welsh. He must have some Welsh in him somewhere! Looks a good athlete too, on the fringes of the Aussie Squad & a former rower who competed at the youth Olympics.

[dragon4life]

What would you guys say is the best place to get a season ticket?(im in hazels stand centeral view)just wondering so i can tell my mates

[dragon4life]

What league position would you guys be happy with and how far will we go in the cups?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Best in what sense?

[dragon4life]

View wise and atmosphere

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Well I used to have a season ticket for the Hazell Terrace, and I usually managed to get a spot almost on halfway, which was a pretty good view, although it wasn't a guaranteed space. It was always good for atmosphere and banter. For next season I've gone for the central block in the Bisley stand - I can't tell you what the atmosphere's like because I haven't sat there yet!

I've watched a match from the north terrace before and you're guaranteed to be able to see all the play, but it could all be the other end of the field.

Pricewise, I think north terrace and Hazell terrace are the same for season tickets, and I think the Hazell stand and Bisley stand are the same.

[dragon4life]

Thanks. Where do you reckon we ll come in the league? And do u reckon we can get heincken cup

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Last season was terrible, but even then, we weren't a million miles from catching the Blues in the table. Both derby games were close - we really should have won the game at the Arms Park - so by last season's standards it's not as if they were a class apart (in my opinion). It looks like we'll be stronger next season and we've made some potentially great signings, so I'm hopeful we can give the Blues a run for their money, and not just the Blues either.

I know the Blues have brought in Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees, but at least one of those will be away with Wales a fair amount of the time, and I don't know how much they've strengthened since last season.

[munkian]

Need to aim for 3rd place region I think

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Munk, I liked Jason Tovey's talk the other day, saying there's no reason why we shouldn't aim to be the top one or two regions next season. A lot of that will depend on how the Argentinian tight head Chapparo goes, and Muller in the second row. If our defence is good - it can't be any worse than it was last season, surely! - then at the very least we'll give everyone a game.

[dragon4life]

The blues have only signed paulo, jenkins and rees but it would be better if we played them whilst the six nations is on so they dont have halfpenny cuthbert etc but even if blues and dragons had there full teams out i think we have a very good chance of beating them. Plus they will probably be looking to sign a 10 cause they only have patchell i heard hook maybe going there

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It'll be interesting to see how the Ospreys go next season without Fotuali'i. One player doesn't make a team, but any side would miss a player like that.

[dragon4life]

I think they will miss Fotuali'i greatly probably 2nd best scrum half in the world behind Genia and Ospreys replacement isnt exactly world class

[Luckless Pedestrian]

They weren't great when they came down to Dave Parade either. It was only a chargedown try that swung it their way.

If we sort out our home form and get the odd away win, then we're getting somewhere. There are some quality sides in the Rabo, but Lyn Jones will get the players believing they can give anyone a bloody nose.

[dragon4life]

Any news about Franck Montella signing for us?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Just read on Dragged Up that London Welsh are resigned to losing him. Whether it's to us, I don't know, but he'll know Lyn and Kingsley, so it could be the right move for him (assuming he got on with them!)

[dragon4life]

I think he would be a great addition to the squad and our scrum would be a lot better

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I keep forgetting we've got Rhys Thomas for next season too. I'm starting to get worried by how optimistic I am!

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