Newport Gwent Dragons v Benetton Treviso 23rd October 2015 19:15 Rodney Parade

Newport Gwent Dragons have been victorious in just one of their last five Guinness PRO12 encounters: 13-0 at home to Zebre in round 2.

Dragons have won their last five home games at Rodney Parade in all tournaments since Connacht beat them there in the PRO12 in February.

Benetton Treviso have slipped to eleven straight PRO12 defeats since their 40-24 victory at home to The Blues in February.

The Italians have not won outside of Italy in any competition since a trip to Scarlets in May 2013.

The Men from Gwent have won their last three contests with Treviso whilst the Italians have not been victorious at Rodney Parade since April 2012.

At Rodney Parade, 7.15pm.
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Gareth John (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU)

Previous Meetings
Date Home Score Away Att
28/3/15 Benetton Treviso 17 - 32 Newport Gwent Dragons 3,413
28/9/14 Newport Gwent Dragons 33 - 15 Benetton Treviso 5,162
10/5/14 Newport Gwent Dragons 20 - 19 Benetton Treviso 6,026

Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/18123.php#pQBMhZGrGq0Ud8L0.99

Faletau playing?

Cardiff Dave wrote:Faletau playing?

Not sure if any of the mainstream Welsh players will be back for the Regions this weekend, few of the fringe players maybe.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Faletau playing?

Not sure if any of the mainstream Welsh players will be back for the Regions this weekend, few of the fringe players maybe.

You know what I mean.

I want a performance that indicates this team is progressing under the current coaching set up.

I have been a supporter of Lyn but now feel that, while we are strong up front, we lack a cohesive gameplan behind the scrum and do not make use of our backline, which I am sure will sound familiar to Ospreys fans.

He has had the backing to assemble the best Dragons squad for 7-8 years. Do I exect us to be world beaters? No. But I do expect us to be competitive in every game we play and I have not seen that this season.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/13888397.Adam_Hughes_returns_home_on_loan_to_boost_injury_hit_Dragons/

GavinDragon wrote:I want a performance that indicates this team is progressing under the current coaching set up.

I have been a supporter of Lyn but now feel that, while we are strong up front, we lack a cohesive gameplan behind the scrum and do not make use of our backline, which I am sure will sound familiar to Ospreys fans.

He has had the backing to assemble the best Dragons squad for 7-8 years. Do I exect us to be world beaters? No. But I do expect us to be competitive in every game we play and I have not seen that this season.

GD,

Agree, in previous season we have always been able to attack and score but struggled because of our poor platform up front, now that's been addressed we seem very poor sometimes clueless behind the pack.

Great news on Adam Hughes. Wish I could go tomorrow, as I feel there would be a bit more of a buzz with this announcement. He's not a big name of course, but was a popular player for us. His try scoring record isn't too bad for Exeter either (4 in 10).

From the picture on the Dragons twittorrrrr, it looks like Boris is on the bench. I suppose Treviso won't be travelling with a good pack, so we'll be ok

Is Faletau off to Bath?

Newport Gwent Dragons have asked the Welsh Rugby Union if they can sell Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34601282

It's hard to say where Faletau is off. Every time the coaches get asked they're apparently 'uncertain' of his future. It's possible he's staying and they just want a quote? Seems a bit odd to be buying him out for a hefty price when he has just one season left on his current contract.

I'm going to come out and say it. Hill and Screech is a really poor 2nd row. It should be Landman and Davies starting there. Still too many average players littered through this squad - and Lyn Jones is always keen to chop 'n' change the team each week.

mikey_dragon wrote:It's hard to say where Faletau is off. Every time the coaches get asked they're apparently 'uncertain' of his future. It's possible he's staying and they just want a quote? Seems a bit odd to be buying him out for a hefty price when he has just one season left on his current contract.

Not up to the coaches whether he goes or not.

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm going to come out and say it. Hill and Screech is a really poor 2nd row. It should be Landman and Davies starting there. Still too many average players littered through this squad - and Lyn Jones is always keen to chop 'n' change the team each week.

Landman is injured

Cardiff Dave wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:It's hard to say where Faletau is off. Every time the coaches get asked they're apparently 'uncertain' of his future. It's possible he's staying and they just want a quote? Seems a bit odd to be buying him out for a hefty price when he has just one season left on his current contract.

Not up to the coaches whether he goes or not.

Of course, but that's not what I said.

Stone Motif wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm going to come out and say it. Hill and Screech is a really poor 2nd row. It should be Landman and Davies starting there. Still too many average players littered through this squad - and Lyn Jones is always keen to chop 'n' change the team each week.

Landman is injured

Then why put him on the bench? If he is injured then surely it would be better for him to sit out entirely.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm going to come out and say it. Hill and Screech is a really poor 2nd row. It should be Landman and Davies starting there. Still too many average players littered through this squad - and Lyn Jones is always keen to chop 'n' change the team each week.

Landman is injured

Then why put him on the bench? If he is injured then surely it would be better for him to sit out entirely.

Don't ask me I'm not one of the Joneses. Presumably because the back row they normally hang out to dry in the boiler house got himself banned for three weeks?

I bet Jason Tovey was having nightmares last night about the service he is going to get from Luc Jones tonight.

He must know he is not good enough and only there because his dad is coach. Must be tough for him having to look his team mates in the eye knowing that in the back of your mind.

People seem to be justifying it that hes been looking sharp off the bench, but then a lot of players do (as games tend to open up more). Maybe he is looking sharper than Sarel, but even if that is the case I don't see the point in Lyn signing Charlie Davies to play 3rd choice scrum half.

He was awful. He had one good sniping run, but it didnt make up for his poor passing and decision making.

Sarel Pretorious looks a shadow of the player who first arrived and Landman also looks like he doesnt care.

Has to be an issue with this coaching group. To have senior players with sXV experience coming over and looking good for a while but then totally disinterested thereafter there must be issues somewhere

The only postives for me were Tovey, Hewitt and at the end Ollie Griffiths showed more with ball in hand in 5 minutes than our starting trio did in 75.

Only heard parts on the radio seemed like a good start, strong scrum as well. Was surprised when I seen the final score as expected us to win comfortably.

the scrum was OK, but we fizzle out in attack after 2-3 phases. We either turn the ball over or lose our shape. Lyn has to go IMO

Some games we score tries, and in others we don't. I will say that when we are scoring tries then it's mostly from guys like Amos and Morgan. Cudd seems to be continuing his good form from last year but aside from that what positives can be taken from two scrappy home wins against Italian opposition?

I would agree that it is perhaps the Lyn Jones affect. He has come into coaching teams in the past and made a positive impact, but then the team under him seems to stagnate. We seen it with the Ospreys in the past. Maybe he should go? Are his assistants much better?

If Kingsley Jones is responsible for the forwards you could say he does his job. Our lineout and scrum is ok

I didn't realise Treviso had run every team fairly close this season, so last night isn't as bad as it sounds. Scrum a huge plus, which is surprising v them.

Pretty annoyed to hear about Luc Jones and then Lyn's change. If Sarel warranted dropping after last week, then it's nonsensical to bring him on if Luc has a pretty poor game. Charlie Davies just as well have stayed at Wasps.

Bit unlucky at Connacht, but lost badly to Glasgow and Leinster. It doesn't fill me with much confidence for us getting a point in our next fixture, which will be away to a good Scarlets team.

mikey_dragon wrote:Some games we score tries, and in others we don't. I will say that when we are scoring tries then it's mostly from guys like Amos and Morgan. Cudd seems to be continuing his good form from last year but aside from that what positives can be taken from two scrappy home wins against Italian opposition?

I would agree that it is perhaps the Lyn Jones affect. He has come into coaching teams in the past and made a positive impact, but then the team under him seems to stagnate. We seen it with the Ospreys in the past. Maybe he should go? Are his assistants much better?

To be fair, we ran a lot more and better with K Jones Junior at ten last year too.

Is that Gerraint Rhys Jones? I think he's a good player from 10 and 15, but he can't defend!

GavinDragon wrote:If Kingsley Jones is responsible for the forwards you could say he does his job. Our lineout and scrum is ok

Have always rated Kingsley so happy for him to stay and I do like Lyn but something not quite right it seems. Though As Risca said when you look at Trevisos result they haven't been stuffed by anyone so are we being over critical?

If LJ went who would come in, who would want to come in?

mikey_dragon wrote:Is that Gerraint Rhys Jones? I think he's a good player from 10 and 15, but he can't defend!

No, you're getting a bit confused between Dorian and GR

bedfordwelsh wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:If Kingsley Jones is responsible for the forwards you could say he does his job. Our lineout and scrum is ok

Have always rated Kingsley so happy for him to stay and I do like Lyn but something not quite right it seems.  Though As Risca said when you look at Trevisos result they haven't been stuffed by anyone so are we being over critical?

If LJ went who would come in, who would want to come in?

I'll be honest, I like Kingsley though he should knock his Chum V nonsense on the head. I don't rate Lyn and think even Nigel Davies could do more with our backs. He's at Ebbw at the mo, so natural progression.

Stone Motif wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Some games we score tries, and in others we don't. I will say that when we are scoring tries then it's mostly from guys like Amos and Morgan. Cudd seems to be continuing his good form from last year but aside from that what positives can be taken from two scrappy home wins against Italian opposition?

I would agree that it is perhaps the Lyn Jones affect. He has come into coaching teams in the past and made a positive impact, but then the team under him seems to stagnate. We seen it with the Ospreys in the past. Maybe he should go? Are his assistants much better?

To be fair, we ran a lot more and better with K Jones Junior at ten last year too.

I think tovey is a bigger running threat, and on Friday quite often got his hands free out of a tackle to offload, only to have zero support players off his shoulder.

However, he does crab across the pitch at times

Risca Rev wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:If Kingsley Jones is responsible for the forwards you could say he does his job. Our lineout and scrum is ok

Have always rated Kingsley so happy for him to stay and I do like Lyn but something not quite right it seems.  Though As Risca said when you look at Trevisos result they haven't been stuffed by anyone so are we being over critical?

If LJ went who would come in, who would want to come in?

I'll be honest, I like Kingsley though he should knock his Chum V nonsense on the head. I don't rate Lyn and think even Nigel Davies could do more with our backs. He's at Ebbw at the mo, so natural progression.

I would put the £150k from the faletau sale towards getting the best coach we can

Risca Rev wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:If Kingsley Jones is responsible for the forwards you could say he does his job. Our lineout and scrum is ok

Have always rated Kingsley so happy for him to stay and I do like Lyn but something not quite right it seems.  Though As Risca said when you look at Trevisos result they haven't been stuffed by anyone so are we being over critical?

If LJ went who would come in, who would want to come in?

I'll be honest, I like Kingsley though he should knock his Chum V nonsense on the head. I don't rate Lyn and think even Nigel Davies could do more with our backs. He's at Ebbw at the mo, so natural progression.

Whether it's 2nd season syndrome or nit but Ebbw are struggling since Davies took over, talking to friends and family who are season ticket holders he doesn't seem to be getting the best out of them like Strange did.

gavindragon wrote:
I think tovey is a bigger running threat, and on Friday quite often got his hands free out of a tackle to offload, only to have zero support players off his shoulder.

However, he does crab across the pitch at times

Can't agree with that at all. He's like Hook-lite, "is it on  for me? No? Right I'll try the miracle offload/chip then".

Stone Motif wrote:

gavindragon wrote:
I think tovey is a bigger running threat, and on Friday quite often got his hands free out of a tackle to offload, only to have zero support players off his shoulder.

However, he does crab across the pitch at times

Can't agree with that at all. He's like Hook-lite, "is it on  for me? No? Right I'll try the miracle offload/chip then".

Well no you are agreeing, because what I said above could also be said of Hook's style of play.

We are in agreement over how Tovey plays. You just don't rate that style which is fair enough. I don't like a ten who shirks his defensive responsibilities like Dorian did on occasions last year.

Risca Rev wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Is that Gerraint Rhys Jones? I think he's a good player from 10 and 15, but he can't defend!

No, you're getting a bit confused between Dorian and GR

Who wouldn't get confused - both coaches have their sons in the team and all of them named Jones!

Anyway I just watched the highlights on Scrum V - it seems we created other opportunities to score and fluffed them, and not sure how the ref deemed that holding on in the tackle at the end there (according the commentator he did anyway). So it's still pretty disappointing - equally as disappointing is the usual rubbish from Lyn Jones in the post match interview, it's not coming together and repeating it is getting a bit boring now.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Is that Gerraint Rhys Jones? I think he's a good player from 10 and 15, but he can't defend!

No, you're getting a bit confused between Dorian and GR

Who wouldn't get confused - both coaches have their sons in the team and all of them named Jones!

Dorian Jones and Geraint Rhys Jones are brothers, with Kingsley being the father of both. Luc Jones is Lyn's son.

That clears it up then. I thought Luc and Dorian were the brothers.

GavinDragon wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

gavindragon wrote:
I think tovey is a bigger running threat, and on Friday quite often got his hands free out of a tackle to offload, only to have zero support players off his shoulder.

However, he does crab across the pitch at times

Can't agree with that at all. He's like Hook-lite, "is it on  for me? No? Right I'll try the miracle offload/chip then".

Well no you are agreeing, because what I said above could also be said of Hook's style of play.

We are in agreement over how Tovey plays. You just don't rate that style which is fair enough. I don't like a ten who shirks his defensive responsibilities like Dorian did on occasions last year.

That only follows if you think Hookesque BS offers a running threat from 10. I don't.