Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

by dragon4life Tue 21 Oct 2014, 4:17 pm

First topic message reminder :

3 in Wales squad that would have been 4 if tyler was fit

by bedfordwelsh Sat 06 Dec 2014, 5:23 pm

Thats two good away wins we have had in this group now, a 3rd would be great but let's hope we don't spoil the away win today by losing at home next week like we did after the Stade game.

Having lived up in the North East for a few years if anyone is thinking of going up for that game in the Ne Year then do it as the Toon is a great night on the lash.

by dragon999 Sat 06 Dec 2014, 6:41 pm

Griff wrote:Getting the BP was key. I think it'll come down to BPs in this group. I agree that getting something, anything, at Newcastle should be the aim. Don't think it'll be easy though. They're on a bit of a roll and dispatched us fairly easily/comprehensively at home.

Sorry Griff _ Dragons gifted Newcastle the win with two tries!, should have been a home win Crying or Very sad

by Guest Sat 06 Dec 2014, 7:05 pm

dragon999 wrote:
Griff wrote:Getting the BP was key. I think it'll come down to BPs in this group. I agree that getting something, anything, at Newcastle should be the aim. Don't think it'll be easy though. They're on a bit of a roll and dispatched us fairly easily/comprehensively at home.

Sorry Griff _ Dragons gifted Newcastle the win with two tries!, should have been a home win

The whole game of rugby is based on mistakes - if there weren't any then there would be no score at all! Wink

I know we were leading v Newcastle at home but Newcastle were good enough to capitalise away from home and come away with the 4 points. They managed to score 30 points at RP. I guess my point is that it will not be easy at all to get anything at Newcastle as they scored 30 points away from home so I imagine them to be better at home.

by bedfordwelsh Sat 06 Dec 2014, 7:10 pm

We gave them two chances and they scored two tries, despite their standing in the Aviva that's what good sides do they take their chances.

If we get a sniff of anything up there next month then we have to take it.

by Guest Sat 06 Dec 2014, 9:24 pm

The reasons we lost to Newcastle were missed kicks and the charge downs. Really we should have got five points in that game, but didn't come out for the second half again. When we go up there, we just have to take all our points on offer and put in a huge performance. Realistically a losing bonus would be perfect and any win v Stade. Making the quarters would be brilliant for us. I just hope we are at full strength by then.

by wayne Thu 11 Dec 2014, 9:46 pm

Come on now Dragons your fate in this League is now in your own hands, you can do this, and do yourself and Wales proud.

by The Saint Thu 11 Dec 2014, 9:57 pm

Someone's got to do it in Europe I guess. Leave it to east Wales. Smile

by wayne Thu 11 Dec 2014, 10:02 pm

The Saint wrote:Someone's got to do it in Europe I guess. Leave it to east Wales.

Well it is about time, did you watch the game Saint, there was nothing to worry you lot apart from their scrum and rolling maul heart

by Guest Thu 11 Dec 2014, 11:55 pm

Did you watch our game v Stade as well then Wayne? Our pack coped well enough v them and Newcastle at home too.

I know you and Saint are flirting, but just asking.

by wayne Fri 12 Dec 2014, 10:02 am

Risca Rev wrote:Did you watch our game v Stade as well then Wayne? Our pack coped well enough v them and Newcastle at home too.

I know you and Saint are flirting, but just asking.

Rev, me flirting, I'd be done as a Paedo, I'm not far off old enough to be his Tad Cu, as far as the question is concerned, no I didn't see either of those matches, was Brock Harris playing in any of those matches, I suspect he wasn't as I don't think he had arrived, and if he did was he at tight head, they did look quite strong IMO at those facets of play last night, if you can match them there you should be able to do yourselves proud.

by The Saint Fri 12 Dec 2014, 1:20 pm

http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/237271.html - this result helps us.

by The Saint Fri 12 Dec 2014, 9:21 pm

And it ends 69-17 to Dragons. Anyone here see the game?

by dragon4life Fri 12 Dec 2014, 10:16 pm

Looked good but against poor opposition

by dragon4life Fri 12 Dec 2014, 10:17 pm

Eased off second half

by VinceWLB Sun 21 Dec 2014, 4:26 pm

Game is becoming a joke if low tackles like the one Landman just did are going to get penalised..

by Guest Sun 21 Dec 2014, 4:41 pm

I like to think that we (Dragons) are not as bad as our league position indicates. However, watching this shower of schidt paints a very good picture! We're struggling to break down one of the worst teams in the league. At home. Sorry, but we suck!

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 21 Dec 2014, 4:44 pm

Griff wrote:I like to think that we (Dragons) are not as bad as our league position indicates. However, watching this shower of schidt paints a very good picture! We're struggling to break down one of the worst teams in the league. At home. Sorry, but we suck!

Chin up Zebre are not that bad, definitely better than Embra/Treviso

by Guest Sun 21 Dec 2014, 4:48 pm

Maybe we're focusing on Europe Wink

by wayne Sun 21 Dec 2014, 5:04 pm

Griff wrote:Maybe we're focusing on Europe

Griff, some of the skills especially passing and taking of passes in the first half is terrible, why you are trying to kick to touch and then get steamrollered back is beyond belief, and you should be able with what I've seen run this team off the park, this could and should be a 5 pointer for you with the right tactics employed.

by Guest Sun 21 Dec 2014, 5:20 pm

I agree. We're playing a bit better 2nd half, but still lots of silly errors.

Have we got a backs coach yet? I think Kingsley or Lyn are doing the job currently. We could do with a full time backs coach, someone who was a back preferably! Unless I've missed an announcement on that recently?

by dragon4life Sun 21 Dec 2014, 6:52 pm

A win is a win but bonus point there for the taking

by The Saint Sun 21 Dec 2014, 7:31 pm

I was asleep for most of it, I'm glad now. That group of players is punching below its weight.

by Guest Sun 21 Dec 2014, 8:51 pm

It was coaches tactic to keep kicking. Kingsley even said as much. We still should've been good enough to win with five points, bar Pewtner not passing to Prydie and Lewis Evans unfortunately knocking on at the tail of the lineout. The weather was terrible today though and also there was bound to be a bit of nerves. Some of our supporters even had Zebre as favourites, so we have to take the win.

The Coombs tackle (not Landman) was a horrendous decision. Danny Lydiate is screwed otherwise. Also, why a couple of times we didn't hook the ball back in the scrum is beyond me (though Zebre also didn't a couple of times too).

by dragon4life Sun 21 Dec 2014, 9:48 pm

Faletau out for Blues game and also Stankovich out for both of them

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 21 Dec 2014, 10:07 pm

dragon4life wrote:Faletau out for Blues game and also Stankovich out for both of them

Listening to Lyn's comments about the boxing day game, he doesn't sound as though he's hopeful. Pretty por comment from a coach/dor.

by dragon4life Mon 22 Dec 2014, 11:12 am

Wardle unlikely to play now. So back to two fit centres both under 20

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 13 Jan 2015, 7:36 pm

On Twitter, Robin Davey mentioned that he'd sat in on the Dragons' debrief at Ystrad Mynach and that they're 'definitely on the look-out for new recruits'. I asked him if they'd said where they were looking to strengthen and this was his reply:

Robin Davey wrote:Half backs, one a South African nine, and front row.

by dragon4life Tue 13 Jan 2015, 7:47 pm

Richie off if we're looking at a 9?

by Guest Tue 13 Jan 2015, 8:12 pm

I like Richie best (out of what we have) and I think it benefits all our tens to have his slicker service at 9. Can't begin to imagine who the SA 9 could be.

Wonder why they didn't mention backrowers, seeing as we've spoken to at least two (three that I know of).

by dragon4life Tue 13 Jan 2015, 8:15 pm

Whos the third rev?

by glamorganalun Tue 13 Jan 2015, 8:59 pm

Risca Rev wrote:I like Richie best (out of what we have) and I think it benefits all our tens to have his slicker service at 9. Can't begin to imagine who the SA 9 could be.

Wonder why they didn't mention backrowers, seeing as we've spoken to at least two (three that I know of).

Agreed Rees is still a very good scrum half but the Dragons could do with backup at 9.

by bedfordwelsh Wed 14 Jan 2015, 5:20 am

dragon4life wrote:Richie off if we're looking at a 9?

Such a shame we always look much better when he comes on the pitch.

by GavinDragon Fri 16 Jan 2015, 12:44 pm

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11730691.Fly_half_Dorian_Jones_given_the_nod_for_Dragons__crunch_Newcastle_encounter/

For the first time, I am seriously starting to question the coaches judgement

by bedfordwelsh Fri 16 Jan 2015, 12:50 pm

GD,

I am with you on this one, not so much dropping Tovey but starting Jones instead of O'Brien. I have said all along that I thought the Jones' were the right choice and in Kingsley I think it still is but Lyn is making me wonder.

I remember a while back when KJ was doing his analysis bit on Scrum V they asked him why the coaches changed Richie Rees when we were on the front foot, now KJ done the honourable thing and didn't slag LJ off but it struck me at the time that he didn't agree with that decision.

by Guest Fri 16 Jan 2015, 12:53 pm

They've obviously done it with next week in mind. Don't be surprised to see Dee sit on the bench for a full 80 either (like TRT did on the away Blues game), as I think he isn't fully fit.

Messing about with the halfbacks is lunacy

by GavinDragon Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:00 pm

I think it will backfire big time. And even if it doesnt what does it matter if we have an away quarter?

by The Saint Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:27 pm

What happened in the Ospreys game? I was away so didn't get around to seeing it, but know the result.

I also agree that the idea of Jones coming in for Tovey is not a good one. We need to start with the best available team and aim for the win. A win at Kingston is more than possible but a lot less likely without the best team. Winning that game is probably the best preparation for what Stade may throw at us next week, they could very well turn up with their best team if they wanted, we should at least be prepared for that.

by bedfordwelsh Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:31 pm

Newcastle are going well at the moment but a losing BP is the absolute minimum the coaches should be aiming for then a home win next weekend so why we haven't gone all out with best side I don't know.

by GavinDragon Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:32 pm

We lost the kicking game in a nutshell...

Our scrum was on top at the start then they subbed arhip after 30 mins for Jarvis and the pendulum swung...

A couple of harsh decisions from the ref at key points, other than that there wasnt much in it...

However I question trying to win a kicking game when we have such poor kickers and exciting backs? Couldnt possibly be a lack of ideas behine the scrum due to a lack of a backs coach...Lyn is far too conservative for my liking..still I think if he gets the players he wants he may turn us into contenders for the top 6

by The Saint Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:37 pm

Either way Gavin, you still need to score tries and a fair few of them. If Lyn can't or doesn't want that then I'm afraid he will have to go, he's never come across as a good motivator. I do like KJ though.

by GavinDragon Fri 16 Jan 2015, 1:41 pm

The Saint wrote:Either way Gavin, you still need to score tries and a fair few of them. If Lyn can't or doesn't want that then I'm afraid he will have to go, he's never come across as a good motivator. I do like KJ though.

I think he is excellent for those one off occassaions, Scarlets at home last year. Blues away this year. Problem is he isnt consistent enough.

An example of his conservatism - he is quoted in the press today stating that in order to win at home you need at least to score 23 points - now statistically that be the case, but why would you set up a team to go and get a minimum number of points?

by The Saint Fri 16 Jan 2015, 2:34 pm

I much prefer Joe Schmidt's philosophy.

by Luckless Pedestrian Sat 17 Jan 2015, 5:55 am

GavinDragon wrote:I question trying to win a kicking game when we have such poor kickers and exciting backs?

This is what I don't understand. If you don't have the personnel to execute a game plan, either change the game plan or change personnel. And then there's this:

"We went out to Stade Francais to play expansively and Newcastle did the same. I'd expect an open game... our intentions are to go and play."

When you can go to Stade Francais and score four tries playing an expansive game, why wouldn't you have your team playing like that week in, week out?

by Guest Sat 17 Jan 2015, 6:23 am

I have a feeling we will be kicking the stitching off the ball today, maybe worse than ever.

Though maybe if any ten can get away without sticking to the plan, it is Dorian. Can't see his dad letting Lyn bomb him out for a few months.

by The Saint Sat 17 Jan 2015, 5:07 pm

O'Brien came on and showed his limitations yet again. I think the fact that we made a break off a lineout steal in the dying seconds, with no pressure in, and seeing him knock the ball on and allow Falcons to run it back at us just sums him up. I was flabbergasted at that.

Great performance, I think Falcons were always going to make a come back just didn't expect one as great as that. We need to re-think our bench as this is becoming a trend.

by maestegmafia Sat 17 Jan 2015, 6:01 pm

Another forty point bonus point win away from home...

Great result Dragons...

by The Saint Sat 17 Jan 2015, 7:14 pm

Risca Rev wrote:I have a feeling we will be kicking the stitching off the ball today, maybe worse than ever.

Though maybe if any ten can get away without sticking to the plan, it is Dorian. Can't see his dad letting Lyn bomb him out for a few months.

Which sons are which? Geraint Rhys Jones is Kingsley's son. There's also Dorian and Luc... Too many Jones' in this region.

by GavinDragon Sat 17 Jan 2015, 7:33 pm

The Saint wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:I have a feeling we will be kicking the stitching off the ball today, maybe worse than ever.

Though maybe if any ten can get away without sticking to the plan, it is Dorian. Can't see his dad letting Lyn bomb him out for a few months.

Which sons are which? Geraint Rhys Jones is Kingsley's son. There's also Dorian and Luc... Too many Jones' in this region.

Geraint Rhys and Dorian are Kingsleys and Luc is Lyns

by Guest Sat 17 Jan 2015, 7:34 pm

Dorian is Kingsley's, Luc is Lyn's. GR's is Kingsley's as you said aye.

by The Saint Sat 17 Jan 2015, 7:43 pm

To be fair Dorian played well today. Not so sure about Luc. GR Jones has showed up well for us when he's played, but isn't good enough to be in first team squad just yet.

by Sponsored content