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.

[munkian]

*sigh*

Yeah, seems legit

[GavinDragon]

no difference really

[GavinDragon]

option 4

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmknFbGIYAAEXVR.jpg:large

[bedfordwelsh]

option 4

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmknFbGIYAAEXVR.jpg:large

Would get my vote if an option.

[GavinDragon]

its not unfortunately just going round on twitter

[dragon4life]

Just heard off a friend we have signed marc jones from sale, anyone else know anything?

[GavinDragon]

another hooker? i hope not

[dragon4life]

He's been on good form this season but imo not needed

[GavinDragon]

TRT Buckley and Dee id say we are set

[munkian]

3 isn't that many, TRT is hardly bullet proof

[Guest]

Marc Jones has been a rumour for a while, but I haven't heard anything official of it. There are a few rumours about other signings, but it is nearly silly season now (when signings are normally announced, so daft rumours start) and so they aren't worth mentioning.

[GavinDragon]

apparently the consultant who carried out the project has gone from twitter - according to gwald

[munkian]

So, which one have people voted for ?

[GavinDragon]

2 - although I was underwhelmed by all options

[munkian]

Snap, looks semi professional compared to the rest of them.

[munkian]

Just got an email from the Dragons - they've cancelled it because overwhelming feedback suggested they were shoite   

Just change us to the Dragons and be done with it

[GavinDragon]

yes but how/where did they get the feedback? The voting was for 3 options, no where that I could see was there an option to add comments? So where are they getting the feedback from? Social Media? Hardly representative of the fanbase now is it?

[munkian]

I'm assuming it would be social media and email complaints. I do wish they would let us know some of the feedback they'd based it on though as I'm guessing a lot was rubbish from bitter village idiots who don't actually go to matches.

They should have consulted with Dragons season ticket holders first and then ticket holders of the feeder clubs.

[GavinDragon]

I'm assuming it would be social media and email complaints. I do wish they would let us know some of the feedback they'd based it on though as I'm guessing a lot was rubbish from bitter village idiots who don't actually go to matches.

They should have consulted with Dragons season ticket holders first and then ticket holders of the feeder clubs.

exactly my point. Still it is good IMO that it is something they are looking at

[munkian]

I agree but why pussyfoot around - re-name it - be bold

[Cardiff Dave]

"....said commercial and marketing consultant Ben Jeffreys".

Mmmm. Did he work for the bloos previously when they were useless at marketing?

[Cardiff Dave]

I agree but why pussyfoot around - re-name it - be bold

Be sensible more like.

[Cardiff Dave]

I'm assuming it would be social media and email complaints. I do wish they would let us know some of the feedback they'd based it on though as I'm guessing a lot was rubbish from bitter village idiots who don't actually go to matches.

They should have consulted with Dragons season ticket holders first and then ticket holders of the feeder clubs.

These "bitter village idiots" - could they be potential season ticket holders for your team? Just asking like, as an outsider who can see that there are those who want the Newport name only and those who want just Dragons, like yourself.

[Cardiff Dave]

yes but how/where did they get the feedback? The voting was for 3 options, no where that I could see was there an option to add comments? So where are they getting the feedback from? Social Media? Hardly representative of the fanbase now is it?

PMs most probs. Via a fans forum.

[dragon4life]

Would have been a different game if we had set piece. Thoughtback row and back three we great, but thought the front row were shocking. Coombs doesm't seem to get onthe right side of the refs does he.

[bedfordwelsh]

Lets hope the players recruited next year can at least make sure we hold our own in the scrum. Its getting to be a laughing stock now, opposing players and coaches alike just know that if they target our scrum then theres always the chance of penalties, sin-binnings and eventually penalty tries.

Signing Brew and Byrne and with the like of Dixon, Prydie, Amos and Tovey along with Evans, Cudd and Taulupe means nothing if we always on the back foot.

[Stone Motif]

I'm assuming it would be social media and email complaints. I do wish they would let us know some of the feedback they'd based it on though as I'm guessing a lot was rubbish from bitter village idiots who don't actually go to matches.

They should have consulted with Dragons season ticket holders first and then ticket holders of the feeder clubs.

Result then, as these are that describes the 'rest of Gwent' we are trying to embrace via this fiasco to a tee

[dragon4life]

As perpingian have been relagated would Chateris come back to us even though he's been linke with other french teams. On a central contract possibly?

[Jhamer25]

As perpingian have been relagated would Chateris come back to us even though he's been linke with other french teams. On a central contract possibly?

i would every much like to see that, both Luke and Adam Jones on central contracts at the Dragons would help transform your pack. As shown yesterday against us, you can not go into next season with high ambition or expectations with the front five you currently have.

[dragon4life]

I don't think it will happen but we would go from having one of the worst front 5 to a decent front 5 with stankovich in the front row aswell

[Stone Motif]

Cloud cuckoo land stuff. Any player on a central contract will play about five minutes a season for their region and Bomb can't handle the new scrum laws in any case. If wwe break ranks with RRW for the sake of him I'll be disgusted, but then we were daft enough to allow this logo bollox so wouldn't surprise me.

[dragon4life]

Adam Jones is still a lot better than what we've got

[bedfordwelsh]

Adam Jones is still a lot better than what we've got

Too right, he's still one of the best around and whilst I agree we wouldn't see him much if on a central contract it would be great if we did get him.

[Stone Motif]

Adam Jones is still a lot better than what we've got

Too right, he's still one of the best around and whilst I agree we wouldn't see him much if on a central contract it would be great if we did get him.

Not any more its not and it would mean doing the dirty on the other regions, who might not be so forgiving next time development region gets mentioned.

[bedfordwelsh]

Stone,

I know they are all (at moment) saying they want play any centrally contracted players but I just cant se that still being the line come start of next season.

If it is where do you think or expect Warburton will go?

[munkian]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27272765

[GavinDragon]

off to the spreys I hear

[bedfordwelsh]

off to the spreys I hear

Who Warburton? If that is the case then they will be breaking ranks with the other Regions so whu not us or more likely as I mentioned it will all be sorted by the new season.

[Stone Motif]

off to the spreys I hear

Doubt it if they're willing to ship Adam Jones off for reneging on his contract offer

[GavinDragon]

sorry gents completely misread that link!   

i thought it was a link to Charteris leaving perpignan

[The Saint]

If Charteris does come back to Wales I can see it being Ospreys actually, to link up with the other international forwards and boost his case for more international honours. Gats' eyes are still set on him and AWJ in the 2nd row for the foreseeable future I think. I'd like to see Jake Ball more if I'm honest.

[Scrumpy]

I've heard Bath are after him. Charteris that is.

[GavinDragon]

tbh it would be a kick in the teeth to the dragons if he were to join another welsh region, parochial as it sounds but he did say when he left first time round that he is a dragon through and through etc

[munkian]

We were the making of him too, he was a lankly streak of urine for a while

[dragon4life]

He said he would come back one day

[munkian]

So did King Arthur, didn't see him fighting off the Luftwaffe   

[Jhamer25]

So as far as i know he is linked with Montpellier, Bordeux as well

[munkian]

Dragons v Trevisio Bargain Basement Bonanza !



Backs
Hallam Amos, Kris Burton, Jack Dixon, Dan Evans, Jonathan Evans, Wayne Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Tyler Morgan, Tom Prydie, Lewis Robling, Jason Mason.

Forwards
Duncan Bell, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Coundley, Nic Cudd, Elliot Dee, Bruce Douglas, Lewis Evans, Owen Evans, Taulupe Faletau, Jevon Groves, Hugh Gustafson, Ieuan Jones, Sam Parry, Phil Price, Matthew Screech, Rob Sidoli, T. Rhys Thomas, Darren Waters, Dan Way, Nathan Williams.

Players not selected through injury
Cory Hill (Thumb), Ashley Smith (Toe), Netani Talei (Ankle), Ross Wardle (Knee), Matthew Pewtner (Sinuses), Steffan Jones (Knee)

[bedfordwelsh]

Dragons v Trevisio Bargain Basement Bonanza !



Backs
Hallam Amos, Kris Burton, Jack Dixon, Dan Evans, Jonathan Evans, Wayne Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Tyler Morgan, Tom Prydie, Lewis Robling, Jason Mason.

Forwards
Duncan Bell, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Coundley, Nic Cudd, Elliot Dee, Bruce Douglas, Lewis Evans, Owen Evans, Taulupe Faletau, Jevon Groves, Hugh Gustafson, Ieuan Jones, Sam Parry, Phil Price, Matthew Screech, Rob Sidoli, T. Rhys Thomas, Darren Waters, Dan Way, Nathan Williams.

Players not selected through injury
Cory Hill (Thumb), Ashley Smith (Toe), Netani Talei (Ankle), Ross Wardle (Knee), Matthew Pewtner (Sinuses), Steffan Jones (Knee)

Has there been a falling out between Tovey and the Jones'. He hasn't been starting of late despite Burton being awful and now he's just not selected.

[munkian]

Dragons v Trevisio Bargain Basement Bonanza !



Backs
Hallam Amos, Kris Burton, Jack Dixon, Dan Evans, Jonathan Evans, Wayne Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Tyler Morgan, Tom Prydie, Lewis Robling, Jason Mason.

Forwards
Duncan Bell, Nathan Buck, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Coundley, Nic Cudd, Elliot Dee, Bruce Douglas, Lewis Evans, Owen Evans, Taulupe Faletau, Jevon Groves, Hugh Gustafson, Ieuan Jones, Sam Parry, Phil Price, Matthew Screech, Rob Sidoli, T. Rhys Thomas, Darren Waters, Dan Way, Nathan Williams.

Players not selected through injury
Cory Hill (Thumb), Ashley Smith (Toe), Netani Talei (Ankle), Ross Wardle (Knee), Matthew Pewtner (Sinuses), Steffan Jones (Knee)

Has there been a falling out between Tovey and the Jones'.  He hasn't been starting of late despite Burton being awful and now he's just not selected.

Tovey seems to have had a distinct drop in form mind. Maybe Lyn is seeing if Burton is worth keeping ? (he isnt)

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