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]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11199252.No_long_break_for_underpowered_Dragons/

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons finish their season on Saturday but will soon be back in the gym under orders to bulk up, writes Chris Kirwan.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has given his charges just three weeks off in a bid to make them pack more of a punch next season.

The region will soon be setting up camp at the state of the art Caerphilly County Borough Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.

The players will be put through their paces by a new head of conditioning following Alex Lawson's departure for Japan and Jones has been holding discussions with a leading candidate.


Once he puts pen to paper he will be charged with making the Dragons a heavier, more powerful team.

Jones said: "There's not a three-month shutdown between seasons, there's a three-week gap for players to regenerate and get over injuries ready to come in and start working again.

"I don't see any need to celebrate finishing a season, let's get it over and get on with the next one.

"These boys need to bulk up; we need to be far more powerful, stronger, heavier and more dynamic than we are at the moment if we are going to challenge any side in the league.

"We have been investing off the field to help the squad become the best that they can and we have a lot of work to do.


"All players in the squad need to bulk up – we are underweight and we are underpowered."

Not all of the Dragons' squad are bound for the beach.

Number eight Taulupe Faletau will soon be joining up with Warren Gatland's squad for June's two-Test tour to South Africa and lock Andrew Coombs, wing Tom Prydie and flanker Lewis Evans are also hoping to get a call-up.

The region's 11-strong Wales Under-20s contingent – including first teamers Hallam Amos, Jack Dixon, Elliot Dee and Tyler Morgan – start their preparations for the Junior World Championship on Monday.

New recruits Lee Byrne and Boris Stankovich have also had their seasons extended by Clermont Auvergne and Leicester's playoff challenges.

[dragon4life]

What player do you wreckon we will have in the probables vs possibles?
I think only Falateu in prpbables, with lewis evans, coombs, amos in possibles. Outside chance of Cudd and Prydie aswell

[munkian]

What player do you wreckon we will have in the probables vs possibles?
I think only Falateu in prpbables, with lewis evans, coombs, amos in possibles. Outside chance of Cudd and Prydie aswell

I think Coombs should be in probables but will probably be in possibles   

I think Rees deserves a shot along with Amos, Cudd, Lewis Evans and Dixon. I started another thread on it   

[dragon4life]

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Prop-Lloyd-Fairbrother/story-21076104-detail/story.html

[munkian]

If he can scrummage I'm happy, could be a decent carrier too

[munkian]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11202331.Ebbw_Vale_experiment_shelved_while_Newport_Gwent_Dragons_canvass_opinion_on_region__39_s_future/


Ebbw Vale experiment shelved while Newport Gwent Dragons canvass opinion on region's future



NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have put plans to play a game in Ebbw Vale next season on the back burner while they conduct some detailed market research into the future of the region, writes Chris Kirwan.

For the second successive campaign the Dragons explored the possibility of playing an LV= Cup encounter at Eugene Cross Park but have decided to stick at Rodney Parade.

The region release details about 2013/14 season tickets today and don't believe it would be fair to make a decision about playing north of the M4 before canvassing the opinion of punters.


They did explore the possibility of leaving an Anglo-Welsh Cup game off the season ticket, making it an all-pay affair at a venue to be confirmed.

However, the board have opted to hold fire while conducting market research into what direction the region should go in.

It comes after the debacle over a new logo when a web vote was aborted after just 16 hours because of a feisty reaction from those that wanted a heavier Newport emphasis and those that want to be known simply as the Dragons.

"We have no data on anything and that is a weakness of the business," admitted chief executive Gareth Davies. "Over time decisions have been taken – or not been taken – on gut feeling.


"In the next few months we will get proper evidence and conduct proper market research into what people want."

Meanwhile, Davies is encouraged that Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering expressed his wish to support the regions.

The Dragons boss had previously questioned whether the governing body wanted Newport Gwent Dragons, the Ospreys, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues to succeed.

Regional Rugby Wales are yet to agree on a new participation agreement with the current deal expiring at the end of June.

"I'd like to think that David sees this opportunity and this situation as being critical for the future," said Davies. "I'm delighted to have heard him come out with supportive comments."

[bedfordwelsh]

 gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr give it a go ffs

[munkian]

Why would any business do that without market research ?

[bedfordwelsh]

Its one LV game not a lot to lose really in the big picture

[bedfordwelsh]

Or maybe they should do the research ahead of time before announcing the possibility then dropping the idea.

[munkian]

Or maybe they should do the research ahead of time before announcing the possibility then dropping the idea.

They SHOULD have done this research `10 years ago. Better late than never

[Cardiff Dave]

Why would any business do that without market research ?

Serious point; has any research ever been done by any of the 4 on the subject in question?

[munkian]

I think some was done by Gwent Dragons/Newport Gwent Dragons way back in 2003 - though I wasn't really into the club game way back when

[Cardiff Dave]

Its one LV game not a lot to lose really in the big picture

Fair point although the powers that be should be striving to make the LV (Anglo-Welsh) competition more popular than it is at present.

[munkian]

Will there even be an LV fixture next year ? Unless ALL clubs use it as a development fixture there hardly seems any point

[Cardiff Dave]

I think some was done by Gwent Dragons/Newport Gwent Dragons  way back in 2003 - though I wasn't really into the club game way back when

I was and we weren't asked anything at all back in 2002/2003. Weren't consulted on the disasterous move to CCS either, but there we are.

[Cardiff Dave]

Will there even be an LV fixture next year ? Unless ALL clubs use it as a development fixture there hardly seems any point

Dunno, but as it stands there is a point as the 4 get a cash sum by being involved. I almost used the word "competing" then, lol.

[munkian]

They could design something more meaningful to fans and make MORE money, just a thought   

[Cardiff Dave]

They could design something more meaningful to fans and make MORE money, just a thought   

A change of sponsor too, perhaps?

[Guest]

Its one LV game not a lot to lose really in the big picture

They did explore the possibility of leaving an Anglo-Welsh Cup game off the season ticket, making it an all-pay affair at a venue to be confirmed.

On the basis of that, they did have a hell of a lot to lose. The Dragons have a Poopie start to the season and you're not going to get much of an attendance at EXP, as people from Newport won't travel and pay extra for a nothing game. I probably wouldn't even be interested in paying for an extra game unless it was a semi final or something. You're also then not going to get too much support from the Valleys, so the Dragons would lose a shed load of money in reality.

[Guest]

Anyway, great to see Mason back at ten. Despite the apparent poor season he is having, he is still comfortably our best ten.

Just hope he doesn't try too hard on Sunday.

Gather Buck is off too. I'd have sooner got rid of Dan Way before him.

[Guest]

It's actually a pretty spot on team

Dragons team to face Benetton Treviso

Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Will Harries, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Phil Price, T. Rhys Thomas, Duncan Bell, Andrew Coombs (c), Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements
Sam Parry, Owen Evans, Bruce Douglas, Rob Sidoli, Jevon Groves, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Tyler Morgan.

[dragon4life]

Sidoli last game

[bedfordwelsh]

Sidoli last game

Fair play he's been good old servant for us last few years enjoy the ice cream in the retirement.

[dragon4life]

He is still yet to decide whether he will continue playing must be in lower leagues though

[Guest]

Ah, I guessed he would go. Shame. Really has done a job for us

[dragon4life]

A win is a win. Not a good win but a win. Tyler Morgan was excellent so was Cudd

[Guest]

Cudd is quality, fair play. Haven't seen the highlights yet, but so pleased we finished 9th for the poor 2014 and so glad to hear of Morgan playing so well. Glad to see we are still producing talent. Really excited for next year and am going to renew the ST this week (never in doubt though).

[dragon4life]

Morgan's take for his first try was amazing. We just need a winning mentality now becaise we had a lot of try scoring chance but didn't look like we knew how to finish them. Martyn Williams still predicting we will finish worst region next season though.

[bedfordwelsh]

Morgan's take for his first try was amazing. We just need a winning mentality now becaise we had a lot of try scoring chance but didn't look like we knew how to finish them. Martyn Williams still predicting we will finish worst region next season though.

dragon,

When you look at the relative squads I think thats a fair call as we stand, our achillies heel is still our front row so until we see how the news boys fit in we won't know.  We have had a terrible 2nd half to the season but still have some class in the side.

If they work out well and with the likes of Faletau, Cudd and Evans along with Goughies experience we may finally have the pack to compliment a very exciting back line in Rees Tovey Morgan and Dixon (both IMO have huge futures) along with Brewwwww and Byrne we could surprise a lot of people and keep the momentum all season.

I know he was only on loan but whats chances of maybe taking Bell on in a coaching role worth it or not?  I think the other thing we really need to do again is turn RP back into the type of ground were no one had an easy game, a few seasons back even the big boys never had it easy but a few games of late we turned over to easy.

[dragon4life]

I heard Stankovich is going to be a player/coach and coach the scrum

[bedfordwelsh]

I heard Stankovich is going to be a player/coach and coach the scrum

Ah fair one then

[dragon4life]

Wales online says Lyn and Kingsley going to go to gloucester. Lyn won't but Kingsley might

[Guest]

I doubt it personally. Think Kingsley has a fairly good gig with us and the Russia job.

[bedfordwelsh]

Wales online says Lyn and Kingsley going to go to gloucester. Lyn won't but Kingsley might

God I hope that's just another bit of garbage that Wales Online normally spouts though KJ was at Gloucester with St Andre. Sooooooooo hope not true

[munkian]

He'd look a boobie if he did go after clearing out half the squad and his 'join me on the journey' speech

[The Saint]

Charteris going to Ospreys makes sense for his own and Wales ambitions, lining up next to AWJ for both club and country, I did mention weeks ago that would be his likely destination if coming back to Wales... Maybe they should take Hook back as well, they're crying out for decent backs.

As for Dregs, hope we sign more Landman's for the 2nd row!

[munkian]

Season ticket sorted, bought a mate one too, £75 each, tidy

[doctornickolas]

Season ticket sorted, bought a mate one too, £75 each, tidy

Blimey that's cheap. Blues terrace tickets are £185 and £50 kids.

[munkian]

North Terrace is £99 before June 30th, if you introduce a new season ticket holder their tickey is half price.

Dragons season tickets

[dragon4life]

DE going to bath as backs coach

[Jhamer25]

Interesting post there by Robert Davey earlier. Is it a sign that Adam is going to the Drags?
"Lyn Jones giving Dragons players just 3 weeks off before bringing them back to bulk up and be more dynamic. Should have new prop by then"

[dragon4life]

Just waiting for WRU to confirm and then the prop is signing. Can't say who though

[The Saint]

Well it can't be Jones... Don't see what the move would do for him. He's better off staying at Ospreys and helping them bolster their pack.

[bedfordwelsh]

Well it can't be Jones... Don't see what the move would do for him. He's better off staying at Ospreys and helping them bolster their pack.

Maybe he's ot happy being a bench warmer which he has been a lot of this season, maybe he realises that if he wants to be part of the WC next year he needs more gametime and in the process he can help bolster our pack down at Dave.

[munkian]

Please O please O please...

[dragon4life]

Its not adam the player is NWQ

[Stone Motif]

Why anyone would want an ageing, past his best player that would play about three games for us, when the asking price is one up the pipe from Roger, is absolutely beyond me.

[dragon4life]

Just been informed terms for the player have been agreed but waiting for WRU approvel because he is NWQ will be confirmed shortly

[XR]

I know you've said you can't say, but can you give his initials?

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