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 ScarletSpiderman Tue 24 Mar 2015, 8:32 pm

Risca, I guess it is. I'm OK with the likes of Cudd, Rawlings etc moving as they never got chances, but I'm not keen on squad regulars like Bearman, Fussel, Dan Evans going elsewhere.

by Guest Tue 24 Mar 2015, 8:38 pm

No I'm not really a fan of that SS.

by The Saint Tue 24 Mar 2015, 9:58 pm

Risca Rev wrote:There's no real space for him, I don't think. To be fair he looked good for Keys on Sunday and seeing as Adam Powell has moved to six (who I also rate), he must be pretty good. I'm sure Kingsley is aware of him though.

For a number of years Keys had an extraordinary front row (thinking around the years they made B&I final) and Dragons had the worst in the league. None of these guys were given the slightest opportunity to push for a professional contract. To this day it still strikes me as odd as I think they might have become good pro players after a couple years. Are Richie Cornock, etc still around these days? Congratulations on making that picture for the recent Dragons v Blues advert by the way...

by Guest Tue 24 Mar 2015, 10:50 pm

Yeah, I don't even know where that pic has come from.

Think Cornock started for Keys on Sunday. From what I saw, their scrum was well on top. I always assumed it was their conditioning, but then you'd have thought a professional s+c coach could work with them. I always thought the biggest miss out of that front row was Gezzy though.

by GavinDragon Wed 25 Mar 2015, 7:10 am

Yea gezzy could have been the next burns but we couldn't afford him at the time.

Cornock is now 30. And yes fitness was always the issue there

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:33 am

The Saint wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:There's no real space for him, I don't think. To be fair he looked good for Keys on Sunday and seeing as Adam Powell has moved to six (who I also rate), he must be pretty good. I'm sure Kingsley is aware of him though.

For a number of years Keys had an extraordinary front row (thinking around the years they made B&I final) and Dragons had the worst in the league. None of these guys were given the slightest opportunity to push for a professional contract. To this day it still strikes me as odd as I think they might have become good pro players after a couple years. Are Richie Cornock, etc still around these days? Congratulations on making that picture for the recent Dragons v Blues advert by the way...

Speaking of Dragons v Blues adverts, whose bright idea was it to put Xavier Rush and Ian Gough on those? A player who doesn't even play for the Blues any more (if he still plays at all) and one who's barely featured for the Dragons since coming back and is retiring at the end of the season. That'll get them through the turnstiles! Surely Warburton and Faletau would have been better?

by Coleman Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:45 am

The advert for the QF is a right mess. Why Xav is on it at all baffles me. Warbs v Toby would have been much better. Heard on the news that you might be dropping Newport & Gwent from your name.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:50 am

Why not, people call us just Dragons anyway (except Jiffy). It would mean the end of the cumbersome 'N-G Dragons' as well.

by The Saint Wed 25 Mar 2015, 10:20 am

Risca Rev wrote:

Yeah, I don't even know where that pic has come from.

Think Cornock started for Keys on Sunday. From what I saw, their scrum was well on top. I always assumed it was their conditioning, but then you'd have thought a professional s+c coach could work with them. I always thought the biggest miss out of that front row was Gezzy though.

You looked really happy.

Yeah I agree there, as that is exactly what I would have thought. 30... The ship may have sailed then. But if given the chance I'm sure he would make a much better 2nd/3rd choice than what we have right now. Gerwyn Price? He signed with Edinburgh and then disappeared didn't he. He was very similar to Burns though.

by GavinDragon Wed 25 Mar 2015, 10:27 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Why not, people call us just Dragons anyway (except Jiffy). It would mean the end of the cumbersome 'N-G Dragons' as well.

+1

Put a poll on draggedup to see how many newport rfc ultras would walk away if it happened

by Coleman Wed 25 Mar 2015, 10:33 am

Price is trying to become a pro darts player. He made it to the PDC World Champs but went out first round. I quite like the Gwent part of the name. I'd prefer we were the Glamorgan Blues. People are very attached to their city names though.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 25 Mar 2015, 10:40 am

Gwent Dragons would be ideal, but just Dragons is better than Newport Gwent Dragons.

by GavinDragon Wed 25 Mar 2015, 11:11 am

I agree but there really would be a revolt if it was just Gwent. Shows the maturity/intelligence of most Newport RFC fans that they see Gwent as something separate to Newport.

The Dragons will do just fine, just as we have Ospreys and Scarlets

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 8:00 pm

Coleman wrote:Price is trying to become a pro darts player. He made it to the PDC World Champs but went out first round. I quite like the Gwent part of the name. I'd prefer we were the Glamorgan Blues. People are very attached to their city names though.

A large area of Powys is in our region though.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 8:03 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Gwent Dragons would be ideal, but just Dragons is better than Newport Gwent Dragons.

Go for it. Might work this time.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 8:07 pm

GavinDragon wrote:I agree but there really would be a revolt if it was just Gwent. Shows the maturity/intelligence of most Newport RFC fans that they see Gwent as something separate to Newport.

The Dragons will do just fine, just as we have Ospreys and Scarlets

Another tweet from Davey;

"The only Rodney Parade brand is based on Newport. There can't be a Dragons brand. What the hell is that?"

by Guest Wed 25 Mar 2015, 8:37 pm

Davey is a bit of an irritant and a stirrer. He's exactly the kind of dinosaur that holds us back and means the board don't have the guts to do what they probably do want to and simplify our name. NGD is a right mishmash of a name and to be honest I'm fed up of the politics surrounding it all.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:04 pm

Risca Rev wrote:Davey is a bit of an irritant and a stirrer. He's exactly the kind of dinosaur that holds us back and means the board don't have the guts to do what they probably do want to and simplify our name. NGD is a right mishmash of a name and to be honest I'm fed up of the politics surrounding it all.

I can relate to that.

by Guest Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:30 pm

I've always been keen on 'Gwent Dragons'. For me you need a place identifier. Just 'Dragons' means nothing. Could refer to the cricket side, netball side, etc. We're meant to be regional so why not name the region. We're the only one of the region's that is (meant to be) based on an actual region/area so we should use the Gwent name. Even though Gwent not longer exists in political/administrative terms it is still able to be defined along geographical boundaries, along which our rugby region is defined.

So Gwent Dragons gets my vote. Always has.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:33 pm

Risca Rev wrote:Davey is a bit of an irritant and a stirrer. He's exactly the kind of dinosaur that holds us back and means the board don't have the guts to do what they probably do want to and simplify our name. NGD is a right mishmash of a name and to be honest I'm fed up of the politics surrounding it all.

Just saying, he also tweeted that the board have no intenition of dropping the name Newport.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 25 Mar 2015, 9:41 pm

Griff wrote:I've always been keen on 'Gwent Dragons'. For me you need a place identifier. Just 'Dragons' means nothing. Could refer to the cricket side, netball side, etc. We're meant to be regional so why not name the region. We're the only one of the region's that is (meant to be) based on an actual region/area so we should use the Gwent name. Even though Gwent not longer exists in political/administrative terms it is still able to be defined along geographical boundaries, along which our rugby region is defined.

So Gwent Dragons gets my vote. Always has.

Careful now....

"Newport win Dragons fight

The new Gwent regional rugby side has been renamed before it has even played a competitive game.

The team will be known as the Newport Gwent Dragons rather than the Gwent Dragons, following a bitter row between fans of Newport RFC and the other clubs in the region."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3171467.stm

by Guest Thu 26 Mar 2015, 1:10 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:Davey is a bit of an irritant and a stirrer. He's exactly the kind of dinosaur that holds us back and means the board don't have the guts to do what they probably do want to and simplify our name. NGD is a right mishmash of a name and to be honest I'm fed up of the politics surrounding it all.

Just saying, he also tweeted that the board have no intenition of dropping the name Newport.

Yeah, as I say because they have no guts. They are obviously thinking a lot about it, or they wouldn't do things like have Davies apparently mention it to Davey or do that silly badge poll last year.

by GavinDragon Thu 26 Mar 2015, 10:14 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:I've always been keen on 'Gwent Dragons'. For me you need a place identifier. Just 'Dragons' means nothing. Could refer to the cricket side, netball side, etc. We're meant to be regional so why not name the region. We're the only one of the region's that is (meant to be) based on an actual region/area so we should use the Gwent name. Even though Gwent not longer exists in political/administrative terms it is still able to be defined along geographical boundaries, along which our rugby region is defined.

So Gwent Dragons gets my vote. Always has.

Careful now....

"Newport win Dragons fight

The new Gwent regional rugby side has been renamed before it has even played a competitive game.

The team will be known as the Newport Gwent Dragons rather than the Gwent Dragons, following a bitter row between fans of Newport RFC and the other clubs in the region."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3171467.stm

to be fair how long are we going to look back to something that happened over ten years ago now.

I can understand Brown then (as now) wanted to protect the identity of the club that he financed to success when the likes of teichman et al graced the RP surface.

But even with his money the club were still nowhere on the european front and certainly not filling RP week in week out. Ive been getting a kick in on twitter all week for saying this but the rugby side and business would be stronger if there was someone leading at board level seeking to unify the region and get people following it

by Coleman Thu 26 Mar 2015, 10:42 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Coleman wrote:Price is trying to become a pro darts player. He made it to the PDC World Champs but went out first round. I quite like the Gwent part of the name. I'd prefer we were the Glamorgan Blues. People are very attached to their city names though.

A large area of Powys is in our region though.

Aye that is an issue, and West Glam is part of the O's region too.

by Coleman Thu 26 Mar 2015, 11:17 am

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3011715/Taulupe-Faletau-set-join-Welsh-exodus-Bath-line-Lions-No-8-season.html

Sorry for the double post. Toby to Bath?

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 26 Mar 2015, 11:32 am

He's got a year left on his contract, so if he does go, it won't be until the season after next.

by GavinDragon Thu 26 Mar 2015, 11:34 am

according to that article they will pay us £150k...If we could bring over a number 8 as successful as landman has been at lock I would sell for that

by Jhamer25 Thu 26 Mar 2015, 11:35 am

Toby won't go to Bath and i just wish they would pi$$ off an leave him alone. He very much a home person and if anything he will be offered a Dual Contract to keep him here. He still has another year on his contract and i think Toby is the type of person who would follow that loyalty.
Past three seasons Bath have been sniffing around him.

by Guest Thu 26 Mar 2015, 1:04 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:I've always been keen on 'Gwent Dragons'. For me you need a place identifier. Just 'Dragons' means nothing. Could refer to the cricket side, netball side, etc. We're meant to be regional so why not name the region. We're the only one of the region's that is (meant to be) based on an actual region/area so we should use the Gwent name. Even though Gwent not longer exists in political/administrative terms it is still able to be defined along geographical boundaries, along which our rugby region is defined.

So Gwent Dragons gets my vote. Always has.

Careful now....

"Newport win Dragons fight

The new Gwent regional rugby side has been renamed before it has even played a competitive game.

The team will be known as the Newport Gwent Dragons rather than the Gwent Dragons, following a bitter row between fans of Newport RFC and the other clubs in the region."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3171467.stm

As GavinDragon says, that article was a long time ago at a very different time for the Dragons. They were trying to attract a supporter base ASAP so the region didn't fall flat on it's face in the first season. I can see why Brown wanted Newport in the title for that very reason. Fast forward 12 years from that article and we're in a different place. Frankly I'd be ashamed to associate with anyone who would walk away from the Dragons now if 'Newport' was dropped. It hasn't been shouted on the terraces or in the stands for as long as I can remember. The songs, while a bit basic (!), are Ole Dragons, Stand up for the Men of Gwent, etc. No mention of Newport. In fact, from my experience the Dragons has been successful in widening the fan base over time. I used to go to Newport RFC as a season ticket holder with only mates from Newport. Since regional rugby we now go with boys from Cwmbran, Blaenavon, Pontypool, etc. Basically friends of friends who work in the same factory in Torfaen. They only started supporting the Dragons because it was Gwent and they identified with it. They've said that they will walk away if it became Newport as they are not from Newport and Newport is not their team. So for me there are signs of success in terms of regionalisation. I see it every home game. We just need more of it!

by GavinDragon Thu 26 Mar 2015, 1:14 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:I've always been keen on 'Gwent Dragons'. For me you need a place identifier. Just 'Dragons' means nothing. Could refer to the cricket side, netball side, etc. We're meant to be regional so why not name the region. We're the only one of the region's that is (meant to be) based on an actual region/area so we should use the Gwent name. Even though Gwent not longer exists in political/administrative terms it is still able to be defined along geographical boundaries, along which our rugby region is defined.

So Gwent Dragons gets my vote. Always has.

Careful now....

"Newport win Dragons fight

The new Gwent regional rugby side has been renamed before it has even played a competitive game.

The team will be known as the Newport Gwent Dragons rather than the Gwent Dragons, following a bitter row between fans of Newport RFC and the other clubs in the region."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3171467.stm

As GavinDragon says, that article was a long time ago at a very different time for the Dragons. They were trying to attract a supporter base ASAP so the region didn't fall flat on it's face in the first season. I can see why Brown wanted Newport in the title for that very reason. Fast forward 12 years from that article and we're in a different place. Frankly I'd be ashamed to associate with anyone who would walk away from the Dragons now if 'Newport' was dropped. It hasn't been shouted on the terraces or in the stands for as long as I can remember. The songs, while a bit basic (!), are Ole Dragons, Stand up for the Men of Gwent, etc. No mention of Newport. In fact, from my experience the Dragons has been successful in widening the fan base over time. I used to go to Newport RFC as a season ticket holder with only mates from Newport. Since regional rugby we now go with boys from Cwmbran, Blaenavon, Pontypool, etc. Basically friends of friends who work in the same factory in Torfaen. They only started supporting the Dragons because it was Gwent and they identified with it. They've said that they will walk away if it became Newport as they are not from Newport and Newport is not their team. So for me there are signs of success in terms of regionalisation. I see it every home game. We just need more of it!

by bedfordwelsh Thu 26 Mar 2015, 3:21 pm

As an Ebbw boy born and bred who has supported my Regions for a fair few years now I would love to see us re branded as Gwent Dragons and as has been mentioned you very rarely hear us referred to as Newport Gwent Dragons on the terraces these days, in the media yes and by pundits but then they full of s**t anyway.

If not then ok I will still support them and would like to think that most fans would still support us even if the Newport was now dropped.

by GavinDragon Thu 26 Mar 2015, 3:28 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:As an Ebbw boy born and bred who has supported my Regions for a fair few years now I would love to see us re branded as Gwent Dragons and as has been mentioned you very rarely hear us referred to as Newport Gwent Dragons on the terraces these days, in the media yes and by pundits but then they full of s**t anyway.

If not then ok I will still support them and would like to think that most fans would still support us even if the Newport was now dropped.

I honestly think they would. BUt you still get the doom monger trolls on Twitter saying otherwise

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 26 Mar 2015, 3:35 pm

There probably would be some people who'd stop following the Dragons if they dropped the Newport bit, but there wouldn't be many of them. I don't know of anyone who'd do it.

by Guest Thu 26 Mar 2015, 9:10 pm

I agree Luckless. The 'die hard' Dragons fans from Newport are exaggerated. Those real die hards are the guys who didn't switch to the Dragons in the first place. They make up the 600 still watching Newort RFC week in week out. And to be honest, I have no problem with that group. I've said for a long time that there is nothing wrong with putting your full support behind any club. No one should be forced to follow any club. In football, if Liverpool we relegated then you wouldn't expect everyone to switch to supporting Everton just because it is a higher league (silly example maybe). People don't question non-league football fans for supporting their team over a local pro or premiership team. So I've got no problem with fans, like Steffan, sticking with their team if that's what they want. What I do hate is the bellyaching from fans of non-pro or semi-pro sides about the pro teams.

So I don't feel there would be the big uproar that people think. The uproar currently is from people on social media, the Argus online, etc. who I doubt go to the games anyway.

by Cardiff Dave Thu 26 Mar 2015, 9:22 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:There probably would be some people who'd stop following the Dragons if they dropped the Newport bit, but there wouldn't be many of them. I don't know of anyone who'd do it.

What would happen, for arguments sake of course, if Gwent and Dragons were dropped from the name of the team?

by Guest Thu 26 Mar 2015, 9:37 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:There probably would be some people who'd stop following the Dragons if they dropped the Newport bit, but there wouldn't be many of them. I don't know of anyone who'd do it.

What would happen, for arguments sake of course, if Gwent and Dragons were dropped from the name of the team?

IMO we'd lose a few and gain a few. Net difference - not a great deal. But our potential to grow (from what the Dragons are and represent) would be diminished.

by GavinDragon Thu 26 Mar 2015, 10:23 pm

yep I agree the potential of a newport superclub is dwarfed by the potential of a proper gwent region

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 6:58 pm

Gav/Griff.
I disagree with both of you, i'm afraid to say.

by Guest Fri 27 Mar 2015, 7:11 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:Gav/Griff.
I disagree with both of you, i'm afraid to say.

C'est la vie. Hug

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 7:16 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:Gav/Griff.
I disagree with both of you, i'm afraid to say.

C'est la vie.

Yellow chicken.

by Guest Fri 27 Mar 2015, 7:19 pm

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:13 pm

Griff wrote:???

Who let the dogs out?

by Guest Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:18 pm

You've lost me now.

by The Saint Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:43 pm

Dave has anyone ever bought you a plunger? Because you just love to bring up old sh*t!

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:46 pm

Griff wrote:You've lost me now.

Everyday's a school day Griff.

by Guest Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:49 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:You've lost me now.

Everyday's a school day Griff.

Especially in my profession. But please explain 'yellow chicken'.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:52 pm

The Saint wrote:Dave has anyone ever bought you a plunger? Because you just love to bring up old sh*t!

Young man! Nige might've though.
Our old Poopie still stinks if you hadn't noticed.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 8:56 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:You've lost me now.

Everyday's a school day Griff.

Especially in my profession. But please explain 'yellow chicken'.

Debate the point ie Newport or Dragons.

by Guest Fri 27 Mar 2015, 9:20 pm

Why debate with someone who constantly responds in one word or one line responses? You're very difficult to debate and discuss with, David. It's like talking to a chimp. I'll write a mini essay and you'll come back with something like 'Makes sense' or 'I disagree'. I won't waste my finger tips.

by Cardiff Dave Fri 27 Mar 2015, 10:07 pm

Griff wrote:Why debate with someone who constantly responds in one word or one line responses? You're very difficult to debate and discuss with, David. It's like talking to a chimp. I'll write a mini essay and you'll come back with something like 'Makes sense' or 'I disagree'. I won't waste my finger tips.

You hum it son, i'll play it.

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