Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[dragon4life]

First topic message reminder :

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

[bedfordwelsh]

SS,

I was always of the understanding it was just an advisory role Gatland had in these issues but I guess if he told the WRU not to release him then they would I guess listen.

If this is the case then it will just make him more determined to leave at end of his contract, also I am of similar thought to Steffan, if they tried to blackmail me in to staying then I would say sod them and go anyway.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Apparently the RSA means that Faletau is not approachable by another region (under a dual contract), so it looks like it comes down to either the Dragons 'force' through the sale to Bath, and Toby misses out on the 4th AI, or that Dragons hang on to him, and prey they can keep him come the end of the season.

Really poopy situation for all concerned.

[bedfordwelsh]

Well the 4th AI isn't the be all anyway and wish we could get rid of it altogether. The way I look at it is if he is forced to stay at the Dragons by his move being blocked then he isn't going to be in the happiest place anyway.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I agree the 4th AI is not really important. But if Toby misses it and Baker plays well and sneaks up the pecking order, then to Toby the 4th AI would be crucial. Although like you say, at the end of the day most important thing is for him to be playing somewhere where he feels happy.

Ideal world it would mean he stays at the Dragons, non quite ideal world he would go to bath, best of a bad lot he would got to the Scarlets, worst case scenario he goes to the Blues.

[bedfordwelsh]

If anyone moves out of Wales and then someone in this case let's say Baker is putting in performances week in week out of a higher standard than the exiles then they should be picked over the exiles.

What I have never agreed with though is this notion that we shouldn't pick anyone outside of Wales at all, for me we just don't have that strength in depth to be so restrictive.

[munkian]

Isn't the 4th AI being scrapped when Woger goes ?

[bedfordwelsh]

Isn't the 4th AI being scrapped when Woger goes ?

Not seen it confirmed yet but that was early reports.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I thought that was what was under pinning the rsa and dual contracts.

[bedfordwelsh]

Hope so as it was nothing more than a money making exercise by the Union.

[Cardiff Dave]

Hope so as it was nothing more than a money making exercise by the Union.

That's what I thought yet Robin Davey is tweeting that the 4th AI doesn't make money. Be glad to see the back of it.

[bedfordwelsh]

Hope so as it was nothing more than a money making exercise by the Union.

That's what I thought yet Robin Davey is tweeting that the 4th AI doesn't make money. Be glad to see the back of it.

How can it not make money, I know a lot of the money goes to the Regions for the extra release but when you think the 4th game is always against one of the SH side its nearly always a sell out and the stadiums bars are always full so surely it must make something if not why would they bother.

[Cardiff Dave]

Hope so as it was nothing more than a money making exercise by the Union.

That's what I thought yet Robin Davey is tweeting that the 4th AI doesn't make money. Be glad to see the back of it.

How can it not make money, I know a lot of the money goes to the Regions for the extra release but when you think the 4th game is always against one of the SH side its nearly always a sell out and the stadiums bars are always full so surely it must make something if not why would they bother.

£100k each I believe and a King's ransom for the touring side. 58k attendance at the last one btw, so way short of a sell out.
I'm sure it must make some kind of profit although not as much as the other 3 would be my guess.

[GavinDragon]

Dragons academy took all it u15's Dewar shield sides on tour to Poland this week. Teams from Newport Schools, Pontypool Schools, Islwyn Schools, Blaenau Gwent Schools and Rhymney Valley Schools competed in a tournament against local sides.

I am not sure whether this was subsidised or paid for by the Dragons (judging by the numbers of players who played I would have thought there would have been some financial support) but still think it is excellent bit of work. No doubt the players who impress will go on to form the Dragons u16 side for the coming season

[munkian]

Dragons academy took all it u15's Dewar shield sides on tour to Poland this week. Teams from Newport Schools, Pontypool Schools, Islwyn Schools, Blaenau Gwent Schools and Rhymney Valley Schools competed in a tournament against local sides.

I am not sure whether this was subsidised or paid for by the Dragons (judging by the numbers of players who played I would have thought there would have been some financial support) but still think it is excellent bit of work. No doubt the players who impress will go on to form the Dragons u16 side for the coming season

Saw that myself - was impressed.

Gatland always said the 4th AI was so that the Welsh squad got continued exposure to playing the best sides in the world. I'm not sure it helped - it definitely made our world cup seedlings more difficult but then if we had done better we wouldn't be moaning.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Dragons academy took all it u15's Dewar shield sides on tour to Poland this week. Teams from Newport Schools, Pontypool Schools, Islwyn Schools, Blaenau Gwent Schools and Rhymney Valley Schools competed in a tournament against local sides.

I am not sure whether this was subsidised or paid for by the Dragons (judging by the numbers of players who played I would have thought there would have been some financial support) but still think it is excellent bit of work. No doubt the players who impress will go on to form the Dragons u16 side for the coming season

Saw that myself - was impressed.

Gatland always said the 4th AI was so that the Welsh squad got continued exposure to playing the best sides in the world. I'm not sure it helped - it definitely made our world cup seedlings more difficult but then if we had done better we wouldn't be moaning.

Damn those World Cup seedlings, they just won't grow!

[munkian]

[GavinDragon]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/stuart-davies-qa-dragons-chief-9632036

good Q&A from the CEO

[munkian]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/stuart-davies-qa-dragons-chief-9632036

good Q&A from the CEO

[Guest]

It was very good.

[bedfordwelsh]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/stuart-davies-qa-dragons-chief-9632036

good Q&A from the CEO

Generally always liked Davies and he has come across quite well here as well.

[GavinDragon]

BW I read his comments re branding to mean that they will base the branding on what most of the paying fan base want.

If ever there was an opportunity for disenfranchised fans to help make it change it is now. I would be urging anyone who would support the team if it was more regional to buy a ST, put their money where their mouth is and have a say in making the region more representative

[bedfordwelsh]

GD,

That's the way I read it I use to be a ST holder but work and living arrangements make that impractical for me as don't get home enough to watch the games regularly.

If we do get re branded then I hope it goes down the 'Gwent Dragons or Dragons' route rather than the 'Newport', I know the the loss in revenue of me not attending the games wouldn't be noticed but if they went back to a super club then I wouldn't go.

That said he seems keen on the Gwent brand but also appreciates you can't ignore where the club is based etc.

[GavinDragon]

I think even most newport based fans are happy for it to be just dragons.

but really need others from outside newport to pitch up and support where they can so that they have a voice when they send surveys etc

[bedfordwelsh]

There has been more slowly turning up over the past few seasons and I think a lot of that is to do with the club getting youth teams from Gwent involved.

I know a few from Ebbw now go down and others who were dead against it have gone to take their kids when teams like RTBs have been flag bearers and they have enjoyed it.

There are still the stalwarts who won't step foot in there but again that's a generation issue and they need to concentrate on the kids as they are the future.

[Cardiff Dave]

You Gwenters on here are a fascinating bunch.

[bedfordwelsh]

In what way Dave?

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

[bedfordwelsh]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment. Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Who are they?

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Also nowt would change in that respect if the Drags were just called Newport. Same down our way if Cardiff detached the strap on.

[GavinDragon]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

[Cardiff Dave]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

Thanks for that. Is this how you refer to your Newporttfft lot?
Sweet dreams. G'night.

[Stone Motif]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Who are they?

The Black and Amber elephant in the room eh?

[Stone Motif]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

But you are happy to follow a club that full on jacked on the concept in 2003, when they held a controlling interest?

[Stone Motif]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

Come on football fans outnumber rugby fans in Wales tenfold unless its February.

Its not about entitlement any more, its about what is best for the pro rugby business trading out of Rodney Parade.

[bedfordwelsh]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Also nowt would change in that respect if the Drags were just called Newport. Same down our way if Cardiff detached the strap on.

They as in the board and of course things would change if they cut tie with the wider Gwent Region as the Dragons have been building very strong links within Gwent over past few years.

[bedfordwelsh]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

But you are happy to follow a club that full on jacked on the concept in 2003, when they held a controlling interest?

I didn't follow them from the off and like many other fans around Gwent I was very upset with the whole thing but over the years I have seen the work they are doing within the wider Gwent community and decided that if I want to watch 1st class rugby then it had to be at a Region and for me Gwent is my Region, following any of the others never came into it.

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Who are they?

The Black and Amber elephant in the room eh?

Aye.

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

But you are happy to follow a club that full on jacked on the concept in 2003, when they held a controlling interest?

I didn't follow them from the off and like many other fans around Gwent I was very upset with the whole thing but over the years I have seen the work they are doing within the wider Gwent community and decided that if I want to watch 1st class rugby then it had to be at a Region and for me Gwent is my Region, following any of the others never came into it.

SM might be referring to Ebbw Vale.

[Cardiff Dave]

In what way Dave?

Your seemingly fanatical desire to ditch the Newport name.

Not at all, and reading the Davies Q&A he is not going to jump to any rash decisions either way at the moment.  Being called Newport Gwent Dragons doesn't bother me these days as on the terraces we are mostly referred to as the Dragons anyway.

If they decided to go down the super clubs route then that would bother me as I wouldn't follow just a Newport based club that had no links with the wider Gwent region.

Also nowt would change in that respect if the Drags were just called Newport. Same down our way if Cardiff detached the strap on.

They as in the board and of course things would change if they cut tie with the wider Gwent Region as the Dragons have been building very strong links within Gwent over past few years.

Honest question; what are these ties/links and what makes you believe any of this would change?

[Cardiff Dave]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

Come on football fans outnumber rugby fans in Wales tenfold unless its February.

Its not about entitlement any more, its about what is best for the pro rugby business trading out of Rodney Parade.

Indeed and the same would apply to the other 3.

[Cardiff Dave]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

How many supporters do you think they will lose though GD? Would they gain some too?

[Stone Motif]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

How many supporters do you think they will lose though GD? Would they gain some too?

The question isn't how do we get a few extra fans in, its what product can sell us into the English leagues and out of this moribund Celtic nonsense

[Cardiff Dave]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

How many supporters do you think they will lose though GD? Would they gain some too?

The question isn't how do we get a few extra fans in, its what product can sell us into the English leagues and out of this moribund Celtic nonsense

That's another question I spose, but I get your point.

[Cardiff Dave]

Any news on the Newport RFC AGM?

[Cardiff Dave]

They would lose any supporters they have gained from the association with gwent over the last 13 years. Me included.

As BW says Stuart Davies will be taking into account the entire fan base before deciding whether to do anything.

But he acknowledges we represent the gwent region. You kerdittff lot can keep your superclub and struggle for fans vs football

How many supporters do you think they will lose though GD? Would they gain some too?

The question isn't how do we get a few extra fans in, its what product can sell us into the English leagues and out of this moribund Celtic nonsense

Hang about, did you mean a 4 pro team collective product with old money club names etc?

[Stone Motif]

Hang about, did you mean a 4 pro team collective product with old money club names etc?

Whatever gets us out of this Irish racket and into a league with some growth potential

[Cardiff Dave]

Hang about, did you mean a 4 pro team collective product with old money club names etc?

Whatever gets us out of this Irish racket and into a league with some growth potential

Aye and i'm sure there's a separate thread discussing this sort of thing.

[Cardiff Dave]

Chief exec bog checker...snigger.
Will he be doing the same when the A side go off roading around the region?

"The day of the European game against the Blues I was in here at 9 o’clock in the morning inspecting toilets because if my standards aren’t high in terms of what we offer to the match-day gathering, then why should anyone else care?"

[Steffan]

Chief exec bog checker...snigger.
Will he be doing the same when the A side go off roading around the region?

"The day of the European game against the Blues I was in here at 9 o’clock in the morning inspecting toilets because if my standards aren’t high in terms of what we offer to the match-day gathering, then why should anyone else care?"

'Newport RFC committee in vote of no confidence with toilet cleaners' story to be run in the Western Mail tomorrow I reckon

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