Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster: Rodney Parade, Friday 06/09, 19:15

Dragons squad: D Evans, H Amos, T Prydie, W Harries, R Wardle, P Leach, J Dixon, A Hughes, K Burton, J Tovey, R Rees, J Evans; P Price, A Coundley, O Evans, R Thomas, H Gustafson, F Chaparro, N Buck, D Way, A Coombs, A Jones, M Screech, I Jones, L Evans, N Cudd, J Groves, N Talei.

Ulster squad:
Forwards: Niall Annett, Tom Court, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Robbie Diack, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller (captain), Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson, Bronson Ross, Lewis Stevenson, Sean Doyle, Rob Herring.
Backs: Jared Payne, Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson, David McIlwaine, James McKinney, Paul Marshall, Darren Cave, Chris Farrell, Andrew Trimble, Ian Porter, Michael Heaney.


Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR)

Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Neil Hennessy (both WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Ray Wilton (WRU)


Will add teamsheets as they become known.


Dragons:15) Dan Evans, 14) Tom Prydie, 13) Pat Leach, 12) Jack Dixon, 11) Hallam Amos, 10) Jason Tovey, 9) Richie Rees; 1) Aaron Coundley, 2) T.Rhys Thomas, 3) Dan Way, 4) Matthew Screech, 5) Andrew Coombs (c), 6) Jevon Groves, 7) Nic Cudd, 8) Lewis Evans.
Replacements: 16) Hugh Gustafson, 17) Phil Price, 18) Francisco Chaparro, 19) Adam Jones, 20) Netani Talei, 21) Jonathan Evans, 22) Kris Burton, 23) Ross Wardle.

Ulster:(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, C Farrell, D McIlwaine, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, S Doyle, I Porter, J McKinney, D Cave

Wanted this to be a separate post - strongest Ulster team possible is:

Tom Court
Rob Herring
Declan Fitzpatrick
Johann Muller (c)
Dan Tuohy
Robbe Diack
Chris Henry
Roger Wilson
Paul Marshall
Paddy Jackson
David McIlwane
Luke Marshall
Darren Cave
Andrew Trimble
Jared Payne

And, on the bench:
Callum Black
Niall Annett
Ricky Lutton
Lewsi Stevenson
Sean Doyle
Ian Porter
James McKinney
Chris Farrell

Bit of an odd bench, but there are only two player selected - McIlwane and Trimble - who can play wing, both of whom start. I'd have started Michael Allen on the wing and had McIlwane on the bench. But there's clearly some plan in mind for replacements, which is good.

Heaney and Bronson Ross may also replace Porter and Lutton on the bench. Heaney is nowhere near as bad as he was against Leinster, and Ross is currently an unknown quantity for us.

From that squad I'd like to see;

1. Tom Court
2. Rob Herring
3. Declan Fitzpatrick
4. Johann Muller (c)
5. Dan Tuohy
6. Robbie Diack
7. Chris Henry
8. Roger Wilson
9. Paul Marshall
10. Paddy Jackson
11. David McIlwaine
12. Luke Marshall
13. Chris Farrell
14. Andrew Trimble
15. Jared Payne

16. Niall Annett 17. Callum Black 18. Ricky Lutton/Bronson Ross 19. Lewis Stevenson 20. Sean Doyle 21. Ian Porter 22. James McKinney 23. Darren Cave

As good as it is to see Cave back, really feel we could use another back three player instead if he isn't going to start. Trimble and Payne both capable of moving into 13, no cover for the back three...

Does anyone know why Nick Williams is still absent?

Nick Williams has Taleiitis. Bit scared is all.

Great buzz about the Dragons. This should be a lot closer than last season's debacle.

I'd like to see

Dragons squad: D Evans, H Amos, T Prydie, W Harries, R Wardle, P Leach, J Dixon, A Hughes, K Burton, J Tovey, R Rees, J Evans; P Price, A Coundley, O Evans, R Thomas, H Gustafson, F Chaparro, N Buck, D Way, A Coombs, A Jones, M Screech, I Jones, L Evans, N Cudd, J Groves, N Talei.

Dan Evans
Hughes
Leach
Dixon
Amos
Tovey
Jon Evans
Owen Evans
TRT
Taz Chap
Captain Coombs
Madam Jones
Talei
Cudd
Ieuan Jones

Coundley, Goose, Buck, Screech, Lewi Sevens, Rees, Burton, Wardle

Some decent players for Dregs, still a weak squad though so quite far away from where we'd like to be. Should hopefully be a better game that last year though and with a stroke of luck they could just get a result.

Our defence is going to be key to the result here. It looked pretty sound against Bath, although their main attacking ploy was the garryowen. We looked sharper and more inventive in attack than we have for a while (perhaps it shows what Darren Edwards can do when he's allowed to focus purely on the backs / attack) and although the scrums were hit and miss, I'll take that over repeated misses.

The game's being played on our ground (where technically we've never lost, since they put the new pitch in) so let's take it to Ulster and see what they're made of.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Our defence is going to be key to the result here. It looked pretty sound against Bath, although their main attacking ploy was the garryowen. We looked sharper and more inventive in attack than we have for a while (perhaps it shows what Darren Edwards can do when he's allowed to focus purely on the backs / attack) and although the scrums were hit and miss, I'll take that over repeated misses.

The game's being played on our ground (where technically we've never lost, since they put the new pitch in) so let's take it to Ulster and see what they're made of.

Sorry, Lucky, couldn't help meself!

100% unbeaten record, Asbo! It's in the bag!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:100% unbeaten record, Asbo! It's in the bag!

Or commentators curse?

The Scrum V commentators will be at Parc y Scarlets.  

Let's hope they have their cursin boots on down the Parc. We have a 9 out of 10 opening day loss record to turn over.

Is this match absolutely, definately and without any shadow of a doubt not being shown on any channel anywhere on the globe or online on the interwicketyweb? Is it really going to have to be BBC Radio Ulster?

Thought it was on BBC NI on red button ?

It is on the red button (at least in NI not sure about Wales), and on the BBC Sport website.

Asbo, Lucky that is priceless. I got a bit of a bad feeling about this game. I just think it will take a couple more matches for us to gel properly, although that pack should be good enough to win us enough ball and territory to win the game. But there are a few influential guys missing, nobody has had much gametime and this represents a banana skin fixture for us.

I have that same feeling Notchy my man but lets not let that overshadow the excitement that's leaping forth from us all in regards to the coming season. It's going to be a good one, no more almosts and lack of silverware this season I tells ya.....

At first there'll be a great buzz at kick off from the Dragons support and the players need to use that and start well. I'm incredibly excited by this.

I don't think we'll win so much, but I am expecting a gutsy performance and if we are close then I want to see our relatively young side show some game management. Think that's why I'd bring Rees and Burton off the bench, rather than start.

Hope Jase Tovey gets the Dragons points scoring record tomorrow too (needs 10 points, I think)

Yep, Jon Evans and Tovey to start, Rees and Burton to close things out (maybe moving Tovey to full back).

I don't expect to see it, but I'd love to see Jack Dixon and Adam Hughes as our midfield pairing.

(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, C Farrell, D McIlwaine, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, S Doyle, I Porter, J McKinney, D Cave.

How strong is that Ulster front row? I know you've got Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick on the bench anyway, but was just wondering as I don't recognise the names.

Dragons Team to face Ulster Rugby

Dan Evans, Tom Prydie, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Aaron Coundley, T.Rhys Thomas, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Andrew Coombs (c), Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.


Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Phil Price, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Netani Talei, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Ross Wardle.

Its our reserve front row. Callum Black is probably third choice loosehead behind Tom Court and Paddy McAllister and Ricky Lutton is third choice tighthead behind John Afoa and Declan Fitzpatrick. Rob Herring is second choice hooker behind Rory Best.

Strong second row and back row anyway, Dodger.

Yep first choice second row, Nick Williams would be our first choice number 8 and Iain Henderson arguably first choice blindside ahead of Diack, but its a strong back row all the same.

Looking forward to seeing how the Ulster centers go. I'm sure Joe Schmidt will also be watching with interest.

I worry we are a little light in the back row. Would've liked a bit more physicality with Talei and Ieuan. I'm not sure Shanksy is really an 8 and I'm not overly convinced by Jevon as a 6. Still what do I know.

Hopefully we'll fly into them and then we have some good options on the bench like Price, Goose, Talei, Jonny Evans and Wardle to bring on and make an impact in the loose

On the one hand, it's a shame there's no Stuart Olding, he's some player; but on the other hand, I'm delighted he's not playing.

Yes, surprised Ieuan Jones isn't involved at all.

Interesting that Black and Lutton are starting.

Is the plan to boost the team in the second half with Court, Fitzpatrick and Cave, I wonder? Keep the pressure on?

Or are Black and Lutton getting a crack based on performances, and Cave just shy of game-time?


Bit worried myself that we're not yet at the races. Anscombe has been saying publicly that we need to stop worrying about how the season might go, and focus on the here and now - the next game. Can't say I disagree.

SUFTUM

I've never been convinced by Groves at this level to be honest. We still appear to be a little lightweight up front, though the team has some good backs. I think Dixon and Amos are gonna step up this year. As will Ieuan when he gets more opportunities.

Don Alfonso wrote:Interesting that Black and Lutton are starting.

Is the plan to boost the team in the second half with Court, Fitzpatrick and Cave, I wonder? Keep the pressure on?

Or are Black and Lutton getting a crack based on performances, and Cave just shy of game-time?


Bit worried myself that we're not yet at the races. Anscombe has been saying publicly that we need to stop worrying about how the season might go, and focus on the here and now - the next game. Can't say I disagree.

SUFTUM

That's pretty much as strong a team as Ulster can field at the moment. With the new scrum laws it's hard to know whether last season's front row pecking order still applies. Black may not have the power of Court but he's supposed to be very good technically, so the changes should suit him. Lutton has continued to impress the backroom staff by all accounts and isn't any worse than par with Fitzpatrick.

I'm pleased Farrell is playing 12 because that looks to be where he's most comfortable. Direct runners like him are perfect for set plays and to run angles off. Last season Trimble often came off his wing to be the power runner in set plays, but if Farrell is drawing the defensive fire, Andy will be very dangerous running the lines he does.

The Great Aukster wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Interesting that Black and Lutton are starting.

Is the plan to boost the team in the second half with Court, Fitzpatrick and Cave, I wonder? Keep the pressure on?

Or are Black and Lutton getting a crack based on performances, and Cave just shy of game-time?


Bit worried myself that we're not yet at the races. Anscombe has been saying publicly that we need to stop worrying about how the season might go, and focus on the here and now - the next game. Can't say I disagree.

SUFTUM

That's pretty much as strong a team as Ulster can field at the moment. With the new scrum laws it's hard to know whether last season's front row pecking order still applies. Black may not have the power of Court but he's supposed to be very good technically, so the changes should suit him. Lutton has continued to impress the backroom staff by all accounts and isn't any worse than par with Fitzpatrick.

I'm pleased Farrell is playing 12 because that looks to be where he's most comfortable. Direct runners like him are perfect for set plays and to run angles off. Last season Trimble often came off his wing to be the power runner in set plays, but if Farrell is drawing the defensive fire, Andy will be very dangerous running the lines he does.

Other people seem to think Farrell may be best suited to 13, Aukster, with the better kickers/playmakers (Marshall/Olding) slotting in at 12. However I have a feeling that the reason Farrell is at 12 and Marshall at 13 is so that when Stuart Olding comes back, he will come in at 12 with Marshall given a shot as an option at 13 for both Ulster and Ireland.

Not sure how I feel about that though, I think Marshall has ridiculous potential as a 12.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Interesting that Black and Lutton are starting.

Is the plan to boost the team in the second half with Court, Fitzpatrick and Cave, I wonder? Keep the pressure on?

Or are Black and Lutton getting a crack based on performances, and Cave just shy of game-time?


Bit worried myself that we're not yet at the races. Anscombe has been saying publicly that we need to stop worrying about how the season might go, and focus on the here and now - the next game. Can't say I disagree.

SUFTUM

That's pretty much as strong a team as Ulster can field at the moment. With the new scrum laws it's hard to know whether last season's front row pecking order still applies. Black may not have the power of Court but he's supposed to be very good technically, so the changes should suit him. Lutton has continued to impress the backroom staff by all accounts and isn't any worse than par with Fitzpatrick.

I'm pleased Farrell is playing 12 because that looks to be where he's most comfortable. Direct runners like him are perfect for set plays and to run angles off. Last season Trimble often came off his wing to be the power runner in set plays, but if Farrell is drawing the defensive fire, Andy will be very dangerous running the lines he does.

Other people seem to think Farrell may be best suited to 13, Aukster, with the better kickers/playmakers (Marshall/Olding) slotting in at 12.  However I have a feeling that the reason Farrell is at 12 and Marshall at 13 is so that when Stuart Olding comes back, he will come in at 12 with Marshall given a shot as an option at 13 for both Ulster and Ireland.

Not sure how I feel about that though, I think Marshall has ridiculous potential as a 12.

I think so too. Anscombe is looking for ways to get Olding into the team, at 12 it now seems. Marshall to 13 is part of that, I wasn't sure if he would try Olding or Marshall at 13 but now we know.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:How strong is that Ulster front row? I know you've got Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick on the bench anyway, but was just wondering as I don't recognise the names.

Second choice, arguably Lutton is third choice, but still pretty strong scrummaging unit. Less so around the park- without wishing to sound presumptuous, I would back us to maybe just get the edge in the scrum especially with two strong scrummaging props on the bench. I'm only wary because of the changes in the Dragons coaching staff. Our scrum coaching has been top notch for the past few seasons, to the extent where I expect any front row we put out to be competitive almost anywhere in the Pro12. But Dragons scrum may well be stronger than last season with the input of new coaches.

Cave is on the bench due to a lack of gametime. I really do feel Marshall is a better 12 than anything else. But if it's a choice between him and Olding, I'd take Olding.

Well after a few games of the Marshall at 13 experiment, I would prefer to see him back at 12. Notch, do you not think that is a bit premature? Olding has played a number of Pro 12 games and looked very good, but Marshall played in the 6 nations, and looked like the most dangerous player we had. He has a similar skill set to Olding but with the added bulk and power.

Either way I hope that Marshall isn't shifted about between 12 and 13 too much. Hopefully this is the season we will find out the answers to where Marshall and Olding are best suited, and if both are suited to 12, who deserves the shirt more.

Listen lads, lay off the "third choice front row chat" etc and just take your medicine. It's time for the Dragons to breath fire, roar and other such marketing gimmicks. You guys are going down  

 

It is, we're blessed with an abundance of talent at 12 and it's very competitive. Hard to call who will nail down that spot. I would have liked to see the centres switched for this one but oh well...

Notch wrote:It is, we're blessed with an abundance of talent at 12 and it's very competitive. Hard to call who will nail down that spot. I would have liked to see the centres switched for this one but oh well...

Yeah me too, I was excited after hearing you say Marshall and Farrell were playing 12 and 13 respectively in the warm up game. However it is clear why Marshall is starting at 13 for now. I'm just not sure I agree with it.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Notch wrote:It is, we're blessed with an abundance of talent at 12 and it's very competitive. Hard to call who will nail down that spot. I would have liked to see the centres switched for this one but oh well...

Yeah me too, I was excited after hearing you say Marshall and Farrell were playing 12 and 13 respectively in the warm up game.  However it is clear why Marshall is starting at 13 for now.  I'm just not sure I agree with it.

They played that way against Leinster, and then the other way around against Leicester. Anscombe has tried it both ways and this is the one he thinks works better so thats fair enough really.

What is interesting is that David McIlwaine has beat Michael Allen, Chris Cochrane and Rory Scholes to that wing spot. He must be doing well in training.

If he did think the 12/13 combination was better as it stands then yeah fair enough, but I think it is more to do with the fact that Marshall is being trialled as an option at 13. We will certainly find out when Olding comes back.

I don't think I have ever seen McIlwaine play, what is his story? Academy player?

He played a good few times for us in the 2010/2011 season due to injury- started against Biarritz away in the Heineken Cup- but left then for two years to get more first team experience. Played for Doncaster then Bristol, now he's back.

It looks like we might not get as much rain as had been forecast earlier in the week, so conditions should be pretty good.

Ah, I was looking forward to a paddle on the Hazell as well

Well you never know, Rev, I might have jinxed it!

Captain Andrew Coombs hopes the new coaching team at the Dragons can put an end to "below standard rugby" dished up by the team last season.

"It's been tough for the fans, watching below standard rugby last season," said back rower Coombs.

"We have seen massive changes here at the Dragons.

"The experience of Lyn and Kingsley coming in has helped us massively, with the youngsters learning so much from them.

"We have new players like Rhys Thomas and Richie Rees just bring so much experience to this environment and that is brilliant to have."

"We let ourselves down last season at Rodney Parade," said Coombs.

"We let the fans down a little bit too. We are confident we can stop teams coming here and rolling us over."

"We have to target a win and we cannot settle for anything less," said Coombs.

"It's a huge challenge to see how far we have come as a young squad in such a short time, but we are looking forward to the opportunity to play Ulster."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23960345

Risca Rev wrote:Listen lads, lay off the "third choice front row chat" etc and just take your medicine. It's time for the Dragons to breath fire,  roar and other  such marketing gimmicks. You guys are going down  

 

I'm glad to see the old 'you're going down' jibe has survived here on the forum.

Anyway Rev I think you will find that it is in fact YOU guys who are GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!
 

Looking at those teams I think we are in trouble (Dragons).

Plus points for us I think we have a slightly better bench although Ulster have some heavy weight forward replacements amongst them.

Another plus point is I think we are fielding a slightly better backline than Ulster.

Major negative point - that starting pack is going to get muller'ed (quite literally) by a Ulster side that have 3 ball carrying back rowers, and far to much weight and power on the Dragons front eight. Without that front foot ball for large periods of the match Ulster are likely to put a few points on us. I still cant believe Coundley and Way are in our front row. Clearly not up to the standards from what I have seen of them in previous seasons. They must have had a hell of a pre season to edge out the other options.

I'm also concerned about the weight advantage Ulster have on us in the boilerhouse. All in all if Ulster run hard at us, I don't see the Dragons come away favourably.

I hope I am wrong and the 16th man will make the difference tonight but I'm not thrilled with that line up for the opening game at home of the season.

Mushroom, it may only have been a friendly, but Bath had a big old pack too, and tried to take the game to us through the forwards; they did get the shove on us a few times in the scrum and their rolling maul was effective, but they struggled to convert that pressure into points. I'm not saying it's a good thing that Ulster have arguably a stronger pack than us, but there's not much we can do about that. Our defence was much more like it the other week and if we can hold them out, we can ask them questions of our own when we have the ball.

Pete330v2 wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Listen lads, lay off the "third choice front row chat" etc and just take your medicine. It's time for the Dragons to breath fire,  roar and other  such marketing gimmicks. You guys are going down  

 

I'm glad to see the old 'you're going down' jibe has survived here on the forum.

Anyway Rev I think you will find that it is in fact YOU guys who are GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!
 

Yeah, I like it so thought I'd use it.

Best of luck tonight Ulster. I think it'll be a good game. Our optimism, feel good factor and current confidence (players and support) v Ulster's all round class. Think Ulster will win, but I want to see a Dragons home performance like we used to have. If we get that, we might do well.

Half time will be when we see what real effect Lyn and Kingsley have on the Dragons, as that is when the coaches get a chance to either bollock or praise the side as they see fit. I honestly wouldn't be suprised to see them win this, and I woud expect them to keep it within one score all the way, even if they did lose.