Ospreys 2015/16 Season

First topic message reminder :

Never done one of these here before, yet cannot do any worse than last years idiot.
Head Coach Steve Tandy
Backs Coach Gruff Rees
Forwards Coach Chris Gibbes
Squad Alphabetically
TYLER ARDRON 24 Back Row                  Rhodri Hughes 20 Lock
Dimitri Arhip 26 Prop                              PAUL JAMES 33 Prop
Lloyd Ashley (Peers) 24 Lock                   AARON JARVIS 29 Prop
Dan Baker 23 Back Row                          Ben John 24 Centre
SCOTT BALDWIN 27 Hooker                    ALUN WYN JONES 29 Lock
Adam Beard 19 Lock                              JAMES KING 25 Back Row  
Joe Bearman 36 Back Row                      Brendon Leonard 30 S/H
Ashley Beck 25 Centre                            DAN LYDIATE 27 Back Row
Rynier Bernardo 24 Lock                         JOSH MATAVESI 24 Centre
Ryan Bevington 26 Prop                          Scott Otten 21 Hooker
DAN BIGGAR 25 OH                               Sam Parry 23 Hooker
Andrew Bishop 30 Centre                        Kristian Phillips 24 Wing
Jordan Collier 20 Back Row                     Martin Roberts 29 S/H
Olly Cracknell 21 Back Row                     Nicky Smith 21 Prop
Sam Davies 21 O/H                                Johnathon Spratt 29 Centre
Gareth Delve 32 Back Row                      De Kock Steenkamp 28 Lock
Hanno Dirksen 24 Wing                          Dan Suter 23 Prop
Mathew Dwyer 30 Hooker                       Gareth Thomas 23 Prop
Dan Evans 26 F/B                                  Marc Thomas 25 Prop
Lloyd Evans 24 Back Row                       Rory Thornton 20 Lock
Richard Fussell 31 F/B                            JUSTIN TIPURIC 26 Back Row  
Tom Grabham 24 Wing                           Eli Walker 23 Wing
Cai Griffiths 31 Prop                               RHYS WEBB 26 S/H
Tom Habberfield 23 S/H                         The following 2 are either temporary
JEFF HASSLER 24 Wing                          or with feeder clubs
Dafydd Howells 20 Wing                         Sam Underhill 19 Back Row
                                                           Oliver Tomaszczyk 28 Prop
The players in CAPITALS will not be available until after the first 3 games of the Guinness League due to WC call ups
The past 5 seasons we have finished 3, 5, 3, 3 and 4 at the end of the regular season, I envision us finishing around the same position this season.
We will also be without Bernardo and Suter for a while early season, we have recruited Tomaszczyk to cover Suter, Underhill came on as a substitute in the Saracens friendly and there were favourable reports about him. If we have injuries in a few key positions especially early season, that prophecy above could be out the window. There has been talk we have signed a T/H from NZ, who had a serious ankle ligament injury, we are still waiting on his rehab. It needs to be soon or we will have to rely on Jarvis, which is not a good thought.
Just to add we won our first 7 matches last season, against most peoples and my expectations, and it will be more of a shock to me if we win either of our first 2 matches this season. Too many missing through injury and International call ups.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:Andrew Hore CEO of the Ospreys gave an interview to the Fail earlier this week, it was a very thought provoking session with a couple of questions answered below.

We are the one true Region. That's it. I don't care what anyone says. As a consequence, we want to develop kids from across that Region and that has been our mantra since our inception.
The concept has always been to get youth and bring them through. Sprinkle in with that three or four or really good professionals and you have the basis of something.

You can still be a professional team, but have a Regional focus. I don't think the other three sides have that to the same extent.
Cardiff and Llanelli wanted to stay as individual clubs and the Dragons are having a bit of a tough time of it. We don't always get it right, but at least our intent is always there to celebrate our kids from across our Region.
There were a fair number of questions answered, how this will go down with his PRW partners is open to debate.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they are discussed next.
The full article is on the Walesonline website or on the Western Mail newspaper.

Plus that kid from Treorchy you mentioned.

More to the point is why wouldn't the kid want to stay with his own Region, they obviously had the earliest opportunity to develop him.

Dunno. I can't figure it out either, wibble.

Well it is pretty obvious to me.

And?

Dave, there is an interesting post on our board today about the circumstances of Liam Williams joining the Scarlets instead of us, he was not involved with either teams Academy, when Swansea were invited to have a look at him, the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites didn't rate him so he went to the Scarlets, we then offered him terms, but because the Scarlets had done the initial work with him, he opted for them.

the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites obviously lacked regional focus, maybe.

Have you actually read the interview? If you are concentrating on a minor point like this, I don't think you have, there is a lot more important things to digest and discuss than that.

wayne wrote:Andrew Hore CEO of the Ospreys gave an interview to the Fail earlier this week, it was a very thought provoking session with a couple of questions answered below.

We are the one true Region. That's it. I don't care what anyone says. As a consequence, we want to develop kids from across that Region and that has been our mantra since our inception.
The concept has always been to get youth and bring them through. Sprinkle in with that three or four or really good professionals and you have the basis of something.

You can still be a professional team, but have a Regional focus. I don't think the other three sides have that to the same extent.
Cardiff and Llanelli wanted to stay as individual clubs and the Dragons are having a bit of a tough time of it. We don't always get it right, but at least our intent is always there to celebrate our kids from across our Region.
There were a fair number of questions answered, how this will go down with his PRW partners is open to debate.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they are discussed next.
The full article is on the Walesonline website or on the Western Mail newspaper.

He made some decent points, but why this lamentable 'One True Region' Horesh1t?

because it works? They sell more jerseys than any other region and far more to kids in Gwent (outside of Newport) that our own Dragons side.

I appreciate you don't like or think regionalism works and your point is still valid when it comes to NGD as we still seem to be a bit of a fudge. But why try and knock it when it is clearly working elsewhere?

Because it is the relative success that is generated by their greater relative investment (and I don't mean jersey sales here either) that makes them attractive, not how 'regional' they are.

It is a factually incorrect sham that undermines the strength of PRW,and someone should kick his 4rse for it.

Prove it is factually incorrect.....oh yeah you can't. Impass reached, lets not bore each other going over it again.

GavinDragon wrote:Prove it is factually incorrect.....oh yeah you can't. Impass reached, lets not bore each other going over it again.

Exhibit A - ownership of the O's

Exhibit B - no official definition of what a 'region' is

Exhibit C - they do eff all different to the others, just with more dough and cleverer marketing

Stone Motif wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Prove it is factually incorrect.....oh yeah you can't. Impass reached, lets not bore each other going over it again.

Exhibit A - ownership of the O's

Exhibit B - no official definition of what a 'region' is

Exhibit C - they do eff all different to the others, just with more dough and cleverer marketing

hmmm "clever marketing". Yet 'one true region' his lamentable horse dudu. See your own contradiction? Your point of view may still prevail yet at the Dragons so I don't see how attacking the most successful business out of the 4 supports your viewpoint

GavinDragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Prove it is factually incorrect.....oh yeah you can't. Impass reached, lets not bore each other going over it again.

Exhibit A - ownership of the O's

Exhibit B - no official definition of what a 'region' is

Exhibit C - they do eff all different to the others, just with more dough and cleverer marketing

hmmm "clever marketing". Yet 'one true region' his lamentable horse dudu. See your own contradiction? Your point of view may still prevail yet at the Dragons so I don't see how attacking the most successful business out of the 4 supports your viewpoint

So it's not possible to sell garbage to an idiot?

The world's advertising executives will be gutted they're all out of a job....

The Ospreys have attacked the other organisations, who stood with them when Roger was trying to shut us all down, let's not forget, with these comments, so they get the scorn they deserve sorry. Maybe bargain bucket, 5 seasons ago Ospreys shirts aren't selling too well in Gwent or something, as I can't think why else he would peddle this credulous nonsense.

I'm not really a fan of the One True Region slogan - I don't really see how it works either. I think that's a bit arrogant of Hore to make such a claim, and it's also derogatory to the other three (or maybe just two of them ). In other news the Ospreys Select lose at home to the mighty London Scottish - not exactly what you'd expect if this was the one true region.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:Andrew Hore CEO of the Ospreys gave an interview to the Fail earlier this week, it was a very thought provoking session with a couple of questions answered below.

We are the one true Region. That's it. I don't care what anyone says. As a consequence, we want to develop kids from across that Region and that has been our mantra since our inception.
The concept has always been to get youth and bring them through. Sprinkle in with that three or four or really good professionals and you have the basis of something.

You can still be a professional team, but have a Regional focus. I don't think the other three sides have that to the same extent.
Cardiff and Llanelli wanted to stay as individual clubs and the Dragons are having a bit of a tough time of it. We don't always get it right, but at least our intent is always there to celebrate our kids from across our Region.
There were a fair number of questions answered, how this will go down with his PRW partners is open to debate.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they are discussed next.
The full article is on the Walesonline website or on the Western Mail newspaper.

Plus that kid from Treorchy you mentioned.

More to the point is why wouldn't the kid want to stay with his own Region, they obviously had the earliest opportunity to develop him.

Dunno. I can't figure it out either, wibble.

Well it is pretty obvious to me.

And?

Dave, there is an interesting post on our board today about the circumstances of Liam Williams joining the Scarlets instead of us, he was not involved with either teams Academy, when Swansea were invited to have a look at him, the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites didn't rate him so he went to the Scarlets, we then offered him terms, but because the Scarlets had done the initial work with him, he opted for them.

the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites obviously lacked regional focus, maybe.

Have you actually read the interview? If you are concentrating on a minor point like this, I don't think you have, there is a lot more important things to digest and discuss than that.

Nope, but i've agreed with much that he's said over the years. And what you posted was a Fail link. I'm reluctant to click on them unless I really have to.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:Andrew Hore CEO of the Ospreys gave an interview to the Fail earlier this week, it was a very thought provoking session with a couple of questions answered below.

We are the one true Region. That's it. I don't care what anyone says. As a consequence, we want to develop kids from across that Region and that has been our mantra since our inception.
The concept has always been to get youth and bring them through. Sprinkle in with that three or four or really good professionals and you have the basis of something.

You can still be a professional team, but have a Regional focus. I don't think the other three sides have that to the same extent.
Cardiff and Llanelli wanted to stay as individual clubs and the Dragons are having a bit of a tough time of it. We don't always get it right, but at least our intent is always there to celebrate our kids from across our Region.
There were a fair number of questions answered, how this will go down with his PRW partners is open to debate.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when they are discussed next.
The full article is on the Walesonline website or on the Western Mail newspaper.

Plus that kid from Treorchy you mentioned.

More to the point is why wouldn't the kid want to stay with his own Region, they obviously had the earliest opportunity to develop him.

Dunno. I can't figure it out either, wibble.

Well it is pretty obvious to me.

And?

Dave, there is an interesting post on our board today about the circumstances of Liam Williams joining the Scarlets instead of us, he was not involved with either teams Academy, when Swansea were invited to have a look at him, the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites didn't rate him so he went to the Scarlets, we then offered him terms, but because the Scarlets had done the initial work with him, he opted for them.

the bloke in charge of recruitment at the Whites obviously lacked regional focus, maybe.

Have you actually read the interview? If you are concentrating on a minor point like this, I don't think you have, there is a lot more important things to digest and discuss than that.

Nope, but i've agreed with much that he's said over the years. And what you posted was a Fail link. I'm reluctant to click on them unless I really have to.

Dave, if it is opinion based I believe about 10% at best that is written on that rag, but this piece is a question asked by one of their reporters (not the Bowel) and then our CEO answering, so it has to be reasonably accurate, as he (Hore) would have to verify it as accurate before being published, and if you do not read it to increase their readership figures, I can understand that point of view, but this article is worth it.

Got a link then? I'll have a read.

Stone Motif wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Prove it is factually incorrect.....oh yeah you can't. Impass reached, lets not bore each other going over it again.

Exhibit A - ownership of the O's

Exhibit B - no official definition of what a 'region' is

Exhibit C - they do eff all different to the others, just with more dough and cleverer marketing

hmmm "clever marketing". Yet 'one true region' his lamentable horse dudu. See your own contradiction? Your point of view may still prevail yet at the Dragons so I don't see how attacking the most successful business out of the 4 supports your viewpoint

So it's not possible to sell garbage to an idiot?

The world's advertising executives will be gutted they're all out of a job....

The Ospreys have attacked the other organisations, who stood with them when Roger was trying to shut us all down, let's not forget, with these comments, so they get the scorn they deserve sorry. Maybe bargain bucket, 5 seasons ago Ospreys shirts aren't selling too well in Gwent or something, as I can't think why else he would peddle this credulous nonsense.

Like tap water in a plastic bottle?

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

He was there at the beginning Dave, as was I, he was part of the Hansen back room staff, why do you think he turned down the WRU offer of a job practically identical to the job he accepted to do at the Ospreys? and personally there was a buzz about initially, for us that embraced Regional Rugby, and what he has to say about the other Regions (Teams) it is no wonder he is unclear what is going to happen in the future, I would have hated to have lost him as CEO of the Ospreys, but the best thing to have happened to Welsh Rugby is if he had been appointed CEO in the not too distant past, as I have found to my cost in the past he is brilliant organiser and communicator.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

He was there at the beginning Dave, as was I, he was part of the Hansen back room staff, why do you think he turned down the WRU offer of a job practically identical to the job he accepted to do at the Ospreys? and personally there was a buzz about initially, for us that embraced Regional Rugby, and what he has to say about the other Regions (Teams) it is no wonder he is unclear what is going to happen in the future, I would have hated to have lost him as CEO of the Ospreys, but the best thing to have happened to Welsh Rugby is if he had been appointed CEO in the not too distant past, as I have found to my cost in the past he is brilliant organiser and communicator.

I seem to remember a grrrrr rather than a bzzzzz.
Need to embrace/hug each other more I guess.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

He was there at the beginning Dave, as was I, he was part of the Hansen back room staff, why do you think he turned down the WRU offer of a job practically identical to the job he accepted to do at the Ospreys? and personally there was a buzz about initially, for us that embraced Regional Rugby, and what he has to say about the other Regions (Teams) it is no wonder he is unclear what is going to happen in the future, I would have hated to have lost him as CEO of the Ospreys, but the best thing to have happened to Welsh Rugby is if he had been appointed CEO in the not too distant past, as I have found to my cost in the past he is brilliant organiser and communicator.

I seem to remember a grrrrr rather than a bzzzzz.
Need to embrace/hug each other more I guess.

Yes the grrrr was from us to you lot, and the buzz was between us over the introduction of Regional Rugby that Andrew spoke about, that is why he decided to come to us rather than take practically the same job with the WRU, why do you think the National Team has noticeably improved in the same period, with the massive influx of the team that has totally embraced Regional Rugby as Andrew indicated in that article.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

He was there at the beginning Dave, as was I, he was part of the Hansen back room staff, why do you think he turned down the WRU offer of a job practically identical to the job he accepted to do at the Ospreys? and personally there was a buzz about initially, for us that embraced Regional Rugby, and what he has to say about the other Regions (Teams) it is no wonder he is unclear what is going to happen in the future, I would have hated to have lost him as CEO of the Ospreys, but the best thing to have happened to Welsh Rugby is if he had been appointed CEO in the not too distant past, as I have found to my cost in the past he is brilliant organiser and communicator.

I seem to remember a grrrrr rather than a bzzzzz.
Need to embrace/hug each other more I guess.

Yes the grrrr was from us to you lot, and the buzz was between us over the introduction of Regional Rugby that Andrew spoke about, that is why he decided to come to us rather than take practically the same job with the WRU, why do you think the National Team has noticeably improved in the same period, with the massive influx of the team that has totally embraced Regional Rugby as Andrew indicated in that article.

So by that leap of logic, our noticeably comedic attempts to put away any serious international opposition must surely be due to the Ospreys embracing regional rugby too...

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Got a link then? I'll have a read.

You must have seen by now I don't do links, you just have to go to Walesonline and go to Rugby then scroll down to the relevant article, if you don't want to do that, why not go to your local library and read the Fail as they probably keep back numbers, as my local library does.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/andrew-hore-interview-we-one-10464481

That's the one, what do you think of it overall?

"I was there at the beginning of regional rugby and there was a bit of a buzz about it initially."
He's kidding shewerly.
Lots of regional mush, appears to be glad that Dodger has gone and is unclear as to what is going to happen in the future. Something like that. Dodgers smiley face half way down threw me I have to say.

He was there at the beginning Dave, as was I, he was part of the Hansen back room staff, why do you think he turned down the WRU offer of a job practically identical to the job he accepted to do at the Ospreys? and personally there was a buzz about initially, for us that embraced Regional Rugby, and what he has to say about the other Regions (Teams) it is no wonder he is unclear what is going to happen in the future, I would have hated to have lost him as CEO of the Ospreys, but the best thing to have happened to Welsh Rugby is if he had been appointed CEO in the not too distant past, as I have found to my cost in the past he is brilliant organiser and communicator.

I seem to remember a grrrrr rather than a bzzzzz.
Need to embrace/hug each other more I guess.

Yes the grrrr was from us to you lot, and the buzz was between us over the introduction of Regional Rugby that Andrew spoke about, that is why he decided to come to us rather than take practically the same job with the WRU, why do you think the National Team has noticeably improved in the same period, with the massive influx of the team that has totally embraced Regional Rugby as Andrew indicated in that article.

I seem to remember a lot of grrring between Neath and Swansea, but there we are.
Anyway regional hugs.

Regional fwends!

GavinDragon wrote:Regional fwends!

Rivals more like.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Regional fwends!

Rivals more like.

It's all according to who you are talking about, I suspect you are discussing different teams, if it is Swansea/Neath, good friends since Hawkes left the scene.
Ospreys/Cardiff Blues good relationship at board room level, rivals in commercial terms and contempt for each other on the field.

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Regional fwends!

Rivals more like.

It's all according to who you are talking about, I suspect you are discussing different teams, if it is Swansea/Neath, good friends since Hawkes left the scene.
Ospreys/Cardiff Blues good relationship at board room level, rivals in commercial terms and contempt for each other on the field.

Talk on our Forum that long term absentee's Ardron, Hassler, Smith and Fia will all be back for either the Blues this weekend or Zebre the following, with possibly Ben John also back, we will be coming back to not far short of our strongest squad available, it will only be Beck, Webb and Bernardo still out.
Team for Saturday could be Evans, Hassler, John/Dirksen, Matavesi, Walker, Biggar, Leonard, James/Smith, Baldwin, Arhip/Fia, AWJ, Thornton, Lydiate/King, Tipuric, Ardron/King/Baker, with James/Smith, Parry, Arhip/Fia, Ashley, Lydiate/Ardron/King/Baker, Habberfield, Davies, John/Dirksen on the bench.
I don't think that will be anywhere near the Team selected, as some players will be given well deserved rests and some of the returnees will start on the bench.
It will still be good to have some of them available again.

I think that and hope that the Ospreys wipe the floor with them. But then, I think that is due to my feelings about regions and clubs as opposed to any rational rugby thoughts

GavinDragon wrote:I think that and hope that the Ospreys wipe the floor with them. But then, I think that is due to my feelings about regions and clubs as opposed to any rational rugby thoughts

Gav, do you ever have meetings organised by the supporters organisation, and the hierarchy, in which the supporters can attend, we have these every year, there is normally a coach and the CEO or a director there, and we can ask whatever we want, what I'm getting at is now that your old CEO is now the Chairman of the WRU, perhaps they (WRU) would be willing to relinquish their 50% holding in the Dragons

I am aware of these type of meetings that have gone on in the past.

However if they did relinquish the other 50% it would probably result in the region doing a Cardiff and reverting to Newport RFC in name, branding and ethos. Which, and this may not surprise you, I wouldn't be massively happy about

GavinDragon wrote:I am aware of these type of meetings that have gone on in the past.

However if they did relinquish the other 50% it would probably result in the region doing a Cardiff and reverting to Newport RFC in name, branding and ethos. Which, and this may not surprise you, I wouldn't be massively happy about

I'm with you all the way Gav, it's a pity that Marcus Russell, was of the same ilk as Leighton Samuel (old Celtic Warrior benefactor) if only somebody could come in from one of the other clubs in the area.
As they say onwards and upwards.

All the other clubs are broke. Jonathan Jones - Ebbw's current chairman is involved with the circuit of wales project, but I certainly don't think he has the sort of wealth that Tony Brown and Martyn Hazell had to dispose of.

Still with the A side things seem to be moving along - there is a very gwent heavy approach to marketing this side, they play around the region as well. Will it work? I don't know if I am honest. The thing is I would really like to see them invest in trying to take 1-2 games to EXP (which isnt a terrible facility). If they do it for say 3 consecutive seasons and there is absolutely no interest from locals and it is poorly supported then pull it.

GavinDragon wrote:All the other clubs are broke. Jonathan Jones - Ebbw's current chairman is involved with the circuit of wales project, but I certainly don't think he has the sort of wealth that Tony Brown and Martyn Hazell had to dispose of.

Still with the A side things seem to be moving along - there is a very gwent heavy approach to marketing this side, they play around the region as well. Will it work? I don't know if I am honest. The thing is I would really like to see them invest in trying to take 1-2 games to EXP (which isnt a terrible facility). If they do it for say 3 consecutive seasons and there is absolutely no interest from locals and it is poorly supported then pull it.

Gav you are going in the right direction, with the new appointments being made in the Commercial and other money making departments in the organisation in the past year.
This is not a dig and I'm not gloating, we made these sort of appointments about 5 years ago, our Commercial side fetch in substantial amounts of money to our organisation. Our shirt designs also fetch in a decent amount, we are lucky in a way as our 2 Original Main Clubs were the All Whites and the Welsh All Blacks, so it was easy to have the home shirt Black with added extras, and the away White with added extras, none of the other teams can do this, we've exploited this very well.

No doubt. You guys are the template for the regional marketing approach. A clear message from the CEO and it permeates everything that you guys do. One true region, your blood is black, positive articles from Bridgend RFC, new kits every other month and every time there is any good rugby related news within your territory you guys shout about it from the rooftops. It does help that you have been fairly successful (even since your budget has been cut), but to be a break even business in sport is a dam good achievement!

I actually think the Blues are pretty good in fairness. Fairly commercial with some good deals and generally good marketing content.

Marketing at RP is miles behind the other three. But then, when you only offer £25k for a marketing manager what do you expect. And there is so much that can be done with such a rich rugby region - it is a shame.

And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

GavinDragon wrote:And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

Sorry Gav, don't Tweet or use Facebook, what's that all about, anything that puts Cardiff fans in their place can only be good.

GavinDragon wrote:And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

I just caught up on that after I read this comment. The entire arguement was amusing. I also did like Phil_BB's riposte regarding the one true region slogan - I actually agree with the bloke on that point.

wayne wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

Sorry Gav, don't Tweet or use Facebook, what's that all about, anything that puts Cardiff fans in their place can only be good.

Go Blues!

GavinDragon wrote:I think that and hope that the Ospreys wipe the floor with them. But then, I think that is due to my feelings about regions and clubs as opposed to any rational rugby thoughts

You'll never be a blue either by the sound of it. Any "clue" yet btw?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

Sorry Gav, don't Tweet or use Facebook, what's that all about, anything that puts Cardiff fans in their place can only be good.

Go Blues!

Dave have you seen the Fail article today that tries to drum up some hatred between our two teams, NO of course you haven't you don't read the rag, I tell you what go down your local chippie Thursday or Friday and read it with a nice piece of Fish and Chips

wayne wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wayne wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:And I was very amused at the Ospreys official twitter account putting Cardiff RFC fans in their place when they criticised them over the name they used in a tweet

Sorry Gav, don't Tweet or use Facebook, what's that all about, anything that puts Cardiff fans in their place can only be good.

Go Blues!

Dave have you seen the Fail article today that tries to drum up some hatred between our two teams, NO of course you haven't you don't read the rag, I tell you what go down your local chippie Thursday or Friday and read it with a nice piece of Fish and Chips

An article on 12 of the best isn't it? I'll give it a miss I think.

GavinDragon wrote:I am aware of these type of meetings that have gone on in the past.

However if they did relinquish the other 50% it would probably result in the region doing a Cardiff and reverting to Newport RFC in name, branding and ethos. Which, and this may not surprise you, I wouldn't be massively happy about

You should be proud Gav.

appreciate this may be hard to see. BUt in essence the ospreys tweeted a picture of a poster promoting the Ospreys vs Cardiff Blues game but called them 'Blues' on the poster not Cardiff Blues. One fan (in the picture) of many too umbrage with the Ospreys for not referring to them by their 'proper' name. The Ospreys twitter account hit back with two pictures from the Blues own website where they had referred to themselves as Blues. Thus making for a very enjoyable morning on Twitter for any fan who is pro regions.

GavinDragon wrote:

appreciate this may be hard to see. BUt in essence the ospreys tweeted a picture of a poster promoting the Ospreys vs Cardiff Blues game but called them 'Blues' on the poster not Cardiff Blues. One fan (in the picture) of many too umbrage with the Ospreys for not referring to them by their 'proper' name. The Ospreys twitter account hit back with two pictures from the Blues own website where they had referred to themselves as Blues. Thus making for a very enjoyable morning on Twitter for any fan who is pro regions.

Thanks for that Gav.

GavinDragon wrote:

appreciate this may be hard to see. BUt in essence the ospreys tweeted a picture of a poster promoting the Ospreys vs Cardiff Blues game but called them 'Blues' on the poster not Cardiff Blues. One fan (in the picture) of many too umbrage with the Ospreys for not referring to them by their 'proper' name. The Ospreys twitter account hit back with two pictures from the Blues own website where they had referred to themselves as Blues. Thus making for a very enjoyable morning on Twitter for any fan who is pro regions.

Marvelous. One minute they're an ar$e, the next an elbow.

tbf Richard Holland is pretty consistent in his message. You are Cardiff Blues.

btw Wayne are you like the only Ospreys fan who posts on this thread?

GavinDragon wrote:tbf Richard Holland is pretty consistent in his message. You are Cardiff Blues.

His first message...

"Cardiff Blues chief Richard Holland dismisses Arms Park return"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/16499151

hi think he's pulled more uturns than osborne since then

GavinDragon wrote:btw Wayne are you like the only Ospreys fan who posts on this thread?

Breadvan posts on here now and again he is also a ST holder and Maesteg Mafia says he is a Os fan, I think he used to be a ST holder but I think he has lapsed although he does go to some games, and Shifty is in the same position as Maes and he also has me as a foe, so unless I get quoted he doesn't see my posts.