Dragons v Leinster

First topic message reminder :

TAULUPE Faletau returns to the Newport Gwent Dragons starting XV for Sunday’s clash with Guinness Pro12 champions Leinster at Rodney Parade.

The Wales number eight started last weekend’s European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final win against Cardiff Blues on the bench, as did openside Nic Cudd.

However, the pair slot into the back row alongside Nick Crosswell for the Leinster encounter with James Thomas moving forward to lock and James Benjamin named among the replacements.

Director of rugby Lyn Jones has been true to his word and fields his first team despite the semi-final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield looming.

Tyler Morgan replaces Pat Leach in midfield but other than that he sticks with the side that have beaten Ulster, Treviso and Cardiff Blues.

Loosehead Luke Garrett is rewarded for a series of impressive performances for Wales Under-20s and Cross Keys with a place on the bench while Matthew Screech covers lock.

“We’ve got to use Leinster in a five-day turnaround as a really good training session, incorporating it in our preparation for Edinburgh,” said Jones earlier this week.

“We’ve got our feet firmly on the floor. We quickly put the Blues to bed, we enjoyed the moment but our thoughts turned directly to Leinster on Monday.

“European rugby is nice and we will think about that next week but now it’s about Leinster and we are not in the position where we can rest players."

Leinster’s matchday squad includes 12 of the 23 that were on duty against Bath in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup last weekend.

With a huge game against Toulon in Marseille looming, coach Matt O’Connor opts to leave out Ireland stars Jamie Heaslip, Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney, Ian Madigan, Devin Toner, Mike Ross and Sean Cronin.

However, they can ill afford to slip up at Rodney Parade in the battle for the playoffs and still boast a side with plenty of experience and class in the shape of Gordon D’Arcy, Eoin Reddan, Shane Jennings, Dave Kearney, Jimmy Gopperth and Zane Kirchner They boast a powerful tight five of Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Martin Moore, Ben Marshall and Mike McCarthy.

Dragons: J Tovey, T Prydie, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, D Jones, J Evans, P Price, R Thomas (captain), B Harris, J Thomas, C Hill, N Crosswell, N Cudd, T Faletau. Replacements: R Buckley, L Garrett, D Way, M Screech, J Benjamin, L Jones, P Leach, G R Jones.

Leinster: Z Kirchner, D Kearney, B Te’o, G D’Arcy, D Fanning, J Gopperth, E Reddan, J McGrath, R Strauss, M Moore, B Marshall, M McCarthy, D Ryan, S Jennings (captain), J Conan. Replacements: A Dundon, M Bent, T Furlong, R Molony, J Murphy, L McGrath, N Reid, L Fitzgerald.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/12882983.Faletau_starts_as_Dragons_stick_with_first_team_against_Leinster/

Ah I see. I don't remember seeing that. Pretorius will need an understudy though, I'm not sure Luc Jones is any good..

Isn't Rees stayin now? Thought he was going into a coaching role with the academy as well as being kept on playing books etc.

The Saint wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

The Saint wrote:Jon Evans has become a much improved player this year. Bath have a good buy there, and we are set to lose two good scrum-halves.

We are also signing one very good 9 with an eye for the line.

I didn't know that, and I thought we were definitely losing Rees. Spill the beans.

We've signed Sarel Pretourious from cheetahs who is their starting 9 and scores lots of tries and also Charlie Davies from Wasps who is their 2nd choice but looks decent

bedfordwelsh wrote:Isn't Rees stayin now?  Thought he was going into a coaching role with the academy as well as being kept on playing books etc.

I hope that's true. Both coaches set of sons have shown a few times that they aren't good enough to play regularly against opposition of Leinster's calibre.

Congrats Drags and enjoy the feel good factor.
Hope Uncle Pete was watching.

The Saint wrote:Ah I see. I don't remember seeing that. Pretorius will need an understudy though, I'm not sure Luc Jones is any good..

Charlie Davies wasps 2nd choice 9 has signed to back up

Chuffed with that win, great to be a dragons fan. Not been this upbeat about the region since its first season!

I know Dixon got mom and cudd was immense but there was a 10 minute spell around the hour mark where faletau just took the game by the scruff and carried us forward phase after phase. His best dragons performance in a long while.

Jury is still out on Dorian Jones for me. Has blown hot and cold this season and yesterday was certainly a cold one. His non tackle of taoe was woeful and something that an age grade player would be ashamed of. I know many will moan that he is only their because he is the coaches son, however he soon had the shepherds crook after that so at least they made a swiift decision. Thought Jason did well when moved to ten. Meyer also looked good again. Hope we sign him for next year

GavinDragon wrote:There was a 10 minute spell around the hour mark where faletau just took the game by the scruff and carried us forward phase after phase. His best dragons performance in a long while.

It was like someone had flicked a switch, wasn't it? I'm sure he carried three times in the buildup to Benjamin's first try (or was it his second?). It was brilliant.

GavinDragon wrote:Jury is still out on Dorian Jones for me. Has blown hot and cold this season and yesterday was certainly a cold one. His non tackle of taoe was woeful and something that an age grade player would be ashamed of. I know many will moan that he is only their because he is the coaches son, however he soon had the shepherds crook after that so at least they made a swiift decision. Thought Jason did well when moved to ten. Meyer also looked good again. Hope we sign him for next year

The only problem is if we drop Dorian and move Tovey to outside half, we don't have the option of Meyer at full back for the semi final because he's not registered for us in the Challenge Cup. We could always move Amos or Prydie to full back and bring Tyler Morgan in on the wing. Pat Leach is going to have to start in midfield because we lacked his organisation in defence.

Someone said to me on the way back to the car yesterday that in seasons past, or even earlier this season, there's no way we would have come back from 22-8 down, against anyone. There's such a great team spirit now and that makes such a difference. We know what we're doing and everyone's bought into it.

One other thing I want to say is that it's a real shame we're playing the Scarlets at the Millennium in a fortnight and not at Dave Parade. The atmosphere was something else in that last quarter.

LP,

Agree on all that, in seasons gone by we would have been on the end of a 50+ hammering and Faletau just seemed to switch on, he hasn't had his best season for us this year but that last spell he just raised it 2/3 levels.

Cudd and Dixon were both unbelievable in defence all game.

GavinDragon wrote:Chuffed with that win, great to be a dragons fan. Not been this upbeat about the region since its first season!

I know Dixon got mom and cudd was immense but there was a 10 minute spell around the hour mark where faletau just took the game by the scruff and carried us forward phase after phase. His best dragons performance in a long while.

Jury is still out on Dorian Jones for me. Has blown hot and cold this season and yesterday was certainly a cold one. His non tackle of taoe was woeful and something that an age grade player would be ashamed of. I know many will moan that he is only their because he is the coaches son, however he soon had the shepherds crook after that so at least they made a swiift decision. Thought Jason did well when moved to ten. Meyer also looked good again. Hope we sign him for next year

Carl is signed for next season - Ross Wardle,Lee Byrne,Aled Brew all back from injury, squad depth coming along nicely.Exciting times for Drags

Meyer is a hell of a find.

Griff wrote:I don't think Leinster showed a lack respect. Rotated and rested, but they have bigger fish to fry in Europe coming up. All teams rest players at times, even us!

Can't see Leinster doing much frying next week....that was dire.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Meyer is a hell of a find.

He's been great for Ebbw for a while now.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Meyer is a hell of a find.

He's been great for Ebbw for a while now.

Is he Welsh ?

South African on a three year sporting visa, from the sharks academy only 22 I believe

GavinDragon wrote:South African on a three year sporting visa, from the sharks academy only 22 I believe

Ah, theres a shame innit.

Yes - even if he was welsh I would not say he is int standard but certainly solid for us.

On a slight tangent good to See Ospreys are playing another A game tonight up in Eirias Park against Sale A.

Wish we could get enough players fit to put a team out against teams like Gloucester A or Brizzle

LordDowlais wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:South African on a three year sporting visa, from the sharks academy only 22 I believe

Ah, theres a shame innit.

No, as teams need good cover when internationals and injuries kick in. We could be losing Amos, Prydie and Morgan to team Wales - Meyer covers these positions. Use your noodle before commenting.

Saint give it a rest mun you are like a petty child. Those last 5 words didnt need to be written.

GavinDragon wrote:Saint give it a rest mun you are like a petty child. Those last 5 words didnt need to be written.

If you were familiar with this guy's constant whining, and in particular all the rubbish he has spouted about the Dragons, you would see it as necessary . The guy even believed I didn't know Steve Walsh had retired and tried to catch me out, but you can't beat The Saint .

I do not whinge about the Dragons, I do sometimes whinge about their supporters mind, namley YOU, and your organ grinder StoneMotife, I wonder where he is these days ?

I thought the Dragons weren't doing anything to embrace regionalism according to you though? I thought you only found regional rivalries interesting because of what a few token posters on here said about one-another's team?

They could do more. Ospreys are the standard bearers in this regard (and many others come to think of it)

We could all do more. It's just annoying to read that we don't do anything when it's clear that we do. Yeah Ospreys must be doing something very different, getting in fans from the Blues region... Though at the same time I can't really see them doing much else from the Dragons.

Well done to the Dragons on a great performance. They should really kick on from this now and also well done Mitrea on another good reffing performamce. I don't know how Clancy is going to the World cup and this guy isn't.

I bet I have been to Rodney Parade more times than you have this season Saint, I like it down there, although I do not like when some of the fans still think of the team as Newport, but what can you do, but I support ALL Welsh rugby, and I do not think ANY of the regions do enough to embrace their REGION, but that is for another argument.

They have played more than one game away from their principal base (no doubt at a financial loss)

The originally named their team including both major clubs in the name. Then dropped both club names alltogether to focus on its brand.

(As far as I am aware) they did not re-allocate players from different feeder clubs (aberavon, neath, bridgend etc) to try and stop Swansea getting relegated.

They are miles ahead when it comes to marketing themselves e.g http://www.ospreysrugby.com/TV

Dont get me wrong it hasnt completely converted into bums on seats but I would argue they have the strongest squad in the pro12 given the financial constraints they have worked with (e.g balancing the books for the past number of years)

LordDowlais wrote:I bet I have been to Rodney Parade more times than you have this season Saint, I like it down there, although I do not like when some of the fans still think of the team as Newport, but what can you do, but I support ALL Welsh rugby, and I do not think ANY of the regions do enough to embrace their REGION, but that is for another argument.

Probably, as I've only been once this season and that will likely be the only time because I'm busy concentrating on my career at this stage of life. Not a fan a of sunday matches either. You've been what twice? One time was probably to support the Ospreys, so don't see why you're bragging about it! TBH as a lifelong supporter and Newport resident, I have not come across a single supporter who sees the Dragons as just Newport in a little over 11 years.

LordDowlais wrote:I bet I have been to Rodney Parade more times than you have this season Saint, I like it down there, although I do not like when some of the fans still think of the team as Newport, but what can you do, but I support ALL Welsh rugby, and I do not think ANY of the regions do enough to embrace their REGION, but that is for another argument.

I think they are in the minority now LD. You never hear Newport being chanted anymore, menofgwent and all that. I think the coaching team certainly consider the outfit a gwent region (Lyn Jones makes the point of referring to us as Gwent Dragons all the time much to the chagrin of Newport ultras) and the management team also (It was leaked that Stuart Davies was considering removing Newport and Gwent from our name). Perhaps now when we are being (by out historical standards) successful woudl be a good time to make that change

Meyer's one kick yesterday was class. Hell of a boot.

GavinDragon wrote:I think they are in the minority now LD. You never hear Newport being chanted anymore, menofgwent and all that. I think the coaching team certainly consider the outfit a gwent region (Lyn Jones makes the point of referring to us as Gwent Dragons all the time much to the chagrin of Newport ultras) and the management team also (It was leaked that Stuart Davies was considering removing Newport and Gwent from our name). Perhaps now when we are being (by out historical standards) successful woudl be a good time to make that change

Yes I agree with all that Gav, there is definatley a wind of change down there, TBH I have always liked Rodney Parade, and when the Warrioirs went jubblies up I made a concerted effort to take Dragons as my team, but fans down there just put me off, but these days there is a vast difference, perhaps it is the new generation down there, but things are changing in Wales, and I think we are starting to move in the right direction.

I have been a Dragons supporter for 5/6 years now and there hasn't been a hint of Newport singing or chanting. If there had have been, I wouldn't be interested.

The Saint wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:I bet I have been to Rodney Parade more times than you have this season Saint, I like it down there, although I do not like when some of the fans still think of the team as Newport, but what can you do, but I support ALL Welsh rugby, and I do not think ANY of the regions do enough to embrace their REGION, but that is for another argument.

Probably, as I've only been once this season and that will likely be the only time because I'm busy concentrating on my career at this stage of life. Not a fan a of sunday matches either. You've been what twice? One time was probably to support the Ospreys, so don't see why you're bragging about it! TBH as a lifelong supporter and Newport resident, I have not come across a single supporter who sees the Dragons as just Newport in a little over 11 years.

Saint, I have been for the two Welsh derbies that have been played there, I went to watch them play Treviso and I went to watch them play Ulster, I would have gone to the Euro game last week but my daughter decided to have her birthday, and I was umming and arrring about going yesterday but opted for the club instead, I wish I went now though. So I have been 4 times as much as you this season.

Risca Rev wrote:I have been a Dragons supporter for 5/6 years now and there hasn't been a hint of Newport singing or chanting. If there had have been, I wouldn't be interested.

I would agree with that and it's what put me off originally.

Ospreys are playing another A game tonight at Eirias Park against Sale A.

I appreciate that we would struggle to put another 23 out at the moment given our injuries and lack of depth. But what are peoples thoughts on whether they would like to see us putting out A sides regularly?

GavinDragon wrote:But what are peoples thoughts on whether they would like to see us putting out A sides regularly?

I think it is an absolutely fantastic idea, players need game time, the Ospreys are not playing this week, and there are players who need to get their match fitness back, Nicky Smith comes to mind, there are also players who are not getting pick regularly and could do with game time, also it spreads the game around, over one thousand people turned up for Blues A Vs Ospreys A earlier in the season.

It's all crud anyway. Barnes Returns is showing next week on the big screen, I hear. Barnes returns to haunt Irish/Leinster players in the game against Toulon.

They mightn't have bothered trying to keep their big guns fresh at all. It would have been better to use them for the Dragons game and try to get into the play-offs of the Pro12 Unloved League.

LordDowlais wrote:I do not whinge about the Dragons, I do sometimes whinge about their supporters mind, namley YOU, and your organ grinder StoneMotife, I wonder where he is these days ?

I always knew you were secretly in love with me LD. Sorry but the Mrs' massive sense of entitlement is plenty enough for me