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.

[dragon4life]

Rhys buckley looks like a try scoring hooker 8 tries in 16 starts this season. From wjat i remember he was a big lump.

[dragon4life]

But has had 4 yellow cards

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's a bit of a weird signing, considering we offloaded him a few seasons ago.

[Guest]

And considering he whinged about not being paid enough as the 4th choice hooker at the time. He also said at the time that he was leaving to hopefully get noticed by an English Prem club or another Welsh region, but I guess that didn't work out too well...

[ScarletSpiderman]

Rhys buckley looks like a try scoring hooker 8 tries in 16 starts this season. From wjat i remember he was a big lump.

Remember that is 8 Championship tries, still impressive, but not as impressive as if he were a Jeff or Rabo hooker with those stats.

[Guest]

Side v Leinstuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrr

Hallam Amos, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith, Will Harries, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T. Rhys Thomas, Nathan Buck, Cory Hill, Rob Sidoli (c), Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Netani Talei.

Replacements

Sam Parry, Aaron Coundley, Francisco Chaparro, Matthew Screech, Jevon Groves, Wayne Evans, Steffan Jones, Ross Wardle.

[Scrumpy]

Rumours in Bath are that Mr Henson has signed for you guys.   

[Guest]

Would be the kind of centre we need. Would be great to see Byrne, Brew and Dixon hitting lines off him. It's a bit of a lazy rumour though, every time he leaves a team we get linked with him. Guess it has to be right one time.

[Guest]

Matthew Morgan now linked with us too. I don't think he's international standard (yet) but would love to see him at RP running rings round the opposition as he often does for the ospreys!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26185724

[dragon4life]

Would love to see matthew morgan would push tovey amd make him play better

[Jhamer25]

It would be great signing Matthew and Gavin but whats the point if they haven't got a platform. Any news on front five signings, I want the dragons to do better and the players they are signings they will. They jut need at least 4 signings in the front 5 to give them more power up front. This side playing tonight will get destroyed vs the Leinster pack.
Please it's really frustrating me

[Guest]

Well, Stankovich is confirmed. That's a good start!

[Jhamer25]

Well, Stankovich is confirmed. That's a good start!

Yes a very good start but he needs cover, he is an old dog now and is likely to pick up a bump or two.
Two Tightheads are essential, watching the game now Nathan Buck is the biggest waist of space on the field; he offers nothing in the scrum or around the field.
A hooker is needed with Parry leaving. So far they only have two hookers for next season. And Again T Rhys Thomas isn't getting nay younger and will pick up a few bumps.
Watching Sidoli tonight he isn't what he was, he is falling off tackles and isn't getting around the pitch enough. A big South African brute is needed. Two good lock coming through but one or two locks should be recruited.

8 (when he was on),9,10 have been great first half tonight and the backline has been great in defense. It's the forwards who are letting them down with the penalties and scrums and line speed.

[Cardiff Dave]

Marvelous try from the Drags........and another.....Richie Rees straight from the restart.
Bloody hell, come on Leinster FFS!

[Cardiff Dave]

Drags deserve a point at least.

[Cardiff Dave]

Rabboed!

[glamorganalun]

Gutted for the dragons I felt they were hard done by so much off the ball holding and not rolling away.

[Guest]

Thought dragons were good for a point until Chaparro's tip tackle. Silly boy.

[bedfordwelsh]

We dont deserve anything until we get our front row sorter, reports this week are linking us with Henson (again) and Matthew Morgan but what's the point when can't win a scrum for love nor money.

[dragon4life]

Great commitment by all the player we just can't win games without a set piece and being on the back foot all the time. I think we desperatley need 2 tightheads and a lock along with Stankovich to compete in the scrum next season. Also stupid decision to take off T.R Thomas and Rees bothwere having excellent games. We also need to learn how to see games out away from home but them again it was a strong Leinster team and as for Chapparo what the hell was he doing.

[Jhamer25]

Richie Rees should be in the welsh team. Both centers have developed into great players this season. Either Ashley Smith or Pat Leach were my man of the match.
T Rhys Thomas has been so effective for the Dragons this season, one of the best signing they have made in years.
Cory Hill put in another good Poopie as did Nic Cudd. Lewis Evans was ok but has been better this season, wasn't as noticeable as he usually is in the open. Talei was a blow cause he was great when on, it just shows how big a factor props are to a team. The dragons have nothing sadly, Stankovich won't be able to come soon enough though sadly.

[dragon999]

Well, Stankovich is confirmed. That's a good start!

Yes a very good start but he needs cover, he is an old dog now and is likely to pick up a bump or two.
Two Tightheads are essential, watching the game now Nathan Buck is the biggest waist of space on the field; he offers nothing in the scrum or around the field.
A hooker is needed with Parry leaving. So far they only have two hookers for next season. And Again T Rhys Thomas isn't getting nay younger and will pick up a few bumps.
Watching Sidoli tonight he isn't what he was, he is falling off tackles and isn't getting around the pitch enough. A big South African brute is needed. Two good lock coming through but one or two locks should be recruited.

8 (when he was on),9,10 have been great first half tonight and the backline has been great in defense. It's the forwards who are letting them down with the penalties and scrums and line speed.

We have TRT, Rhys Buckley, Elliott Dee & Gus at hooker for next season

[Guest]

Gutted for the  dragons I felt they were hard done by so much off the ball holding and not rolling away.

You can't say too much on here without sounding bitter, but I did dread having that ref. I do think he only ever looks to ping one team and it does tend to be us v Irish teams (and we do get him a fair bit v them).

I'm not arguing cards, but there should be things like ruck offences and binding on a props arm that should get pinged

[glamorganalun]

Gutted for the  dragons I felt they were hard done by so much off the ball holding and not rolling away.

You can't say too much on here without sounding bitter, but I did dread having that ref. I do think he only ever looks to ping one team and it does tend to be us v Irish teams (and we do get him a fair bit v them).

I'm not arguing cards, but there should be things like ruck offences and binding on a props arm that should get pinged

Agree, the ref seemed to be reffing one side when Lienster went down it was a slip but the Dragons it was a penalty/try, even the red card the player was put to ground and not dropped in fairness to the ref he saw it as it was the tmo stated he was brought down on his shoulders

[bedfordwelsh]

As I said before I am huge fan of Lyn Jones and Kingsley and think they have been really good for us this season BUT can some explain why he took TRT and Rees off. Yet again they seemed pre-determined at the 60 minute point I will take so and so off regardless of how he is playing.

Rees should be in Welsh squad at least.

[Taffineastbourne]

As I said before I am huge fan of Lyn Jones and Kingsley and think they have been really good for us this season BUT can some explain why he took TRT and Rees off.  Yet again they seemed pre-determined at the 60 minute point I will take so and so off regardless of how he is playing.

Rees should be in Welsh squad at least.

I haven't seen a better 9 in Wales this season.Gatland clearly is not a fan  

[munkian]

Darren Edwards to leave the region with imediate effect

Laters clart

[Jhamer25]

Someone explain to me why the hell Steffon Jones is starting over Jason Tovey vs ULSTER. Is Lyn mad.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this Bruce Douglas gets on as well. I think the Dragons have a chance but i'm not convinced on Steffon Jones, he is shocking in defense.

[dragon999]

Jason suffered a dead leg against Glasgow & can't do 80mins

[Scrumpy]

Is there a job going in Newport?

[dragon4life]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/rugby/latest/11047683.Henson_poised_for_summer_switch_to_Rodney_Parade/

[dragon4life]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/rugby/latest/11047683.Henson_poised_for_summer_switch_to_Rodney_Parade/

[GavinDragon]

hope this is on a pay per play basis otherwise i see it as a poor piece of business given how injury prone he is....

it will also be a shame if a regional stalwart like Ash Smith is moved on to make room/free funds

[Jhamer25]

But Newport already have three established centers who have been great when they have played this season in Leach, Smith and Dixon.

PROPS, PROPS, PROPS (oh and a lock)

[Guest]

Dixon tends to play for Bedwas rather than Newport.

[dragon4life]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-star-adam-jones-could-6768035

[Guest]

Don't see that happening.

[The Saint]

 

[GavinDragon]

be very surprised and again I feel that to get him we would have to better his money than he is on at the ospreys which i imagine for our budget would be big bucks - i question whether it would be the right business decision for a 33 year old who is struggling to adapt to the new laws would be a good move

[Jhamer25]

I laughed the first time i heard of it a few moths ago and though it was a stupid rumour. But it seems like it might happen.
I would still be very surprised though, but by god wouldn't it be a shocker.

[Seagultaf]

If Adam Jones signs a central contract, its likely that the WRU will dictate where he plays. They offered contracts to North & Alan Wyn Jones but insisted that they play for Cardiff Blues (another way of winding up the regions). If they follow the Warburton example (also supposed to play for the Blues), if Adam sign up the WRU will pay his wages so whoever gets him, it wont cost them anything.

[Guest]

Matthew Morgan confirmed to Brizzle then. Bit of a waste, I think.

[Jhamer25]

Really stupid move for him. He needs to be playing at the top level. I mean what if Bristol don;t even go up, he will fade away. Not a good move by him.

[bedfordwelsh]

[quote="Seagultaf"] They offered contracts to North & Alan Wyn Jones but insisted that they play for Cardiff Blues (another way of winding up the regions).

Did they though, has that actually been confirmed or was it just speculation agian?

[youngguns6]

What about this Montanella fella? Apparently awesome at Welsh last season but now released by Newcastle?

Anyone know much about him? Possible target maybe?

[Guest]

We tried for him last season, didn't we?

[youngguns6]

Apparently we did but never confirmed.

Would he be a good signing now?
Any rumours on who the lock we are chasing is?

[dragon999]

Apparently we did but never confirmed.

Would he be a good signing now?
Any rumours on who the lock we are chasing is?

I did hear it is someone the pack can revolver around?

[dragon4life]

Team next season:
1.Stankovich/Price/Evans
2.Thomas/Dee/Buckley
3.Buck/Doughlas?/Rhodri Jones?/Way/Chapparo
4.Coombs/Screech
5.Sidoli/Hill
6.Evans/Groves
7.Cudd/Waters
8.Falateu/Talei
9.Rees/J.Evans/W.Evans
10.Tovey/Jones
11.Brew/Pewtner
12.Smith/Dixon/Henson?
13.Leach/Wardle
14.Prydie
15.Byrne/Amos

Still needs more strength in front 5

[munkian]

Adam Jones mun   

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