Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 10 Feb 2016, 2:51 pm

First topic message reminder :

With Warburton, I can only conclude that they like him as captain because of how he deals with referees. He's very respectful towards them.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:25 am

When I heard about that I thought they meant former Wallaby Pat Howard, but he's a bit long in the tooth! I can't say I've heard of this Pat Howard, but he's still young, which should stave off accusations of another southern-hemisphere player coming over to top up his pension. Our last few South African recruits have been very good indeed, so here's hoping he'll be a success too.

by GavinDragon Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:29 am

He is videod on the ITV news saying he would consider it. However, he may have just been trying to fob the reporter off as his response wasn't the most convincing.

In other news http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36110850

Saints fans know if he any good?

by 2ndtimeround Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:53 am

Hopefully its more than a fob off, a clean start for the Dragons with someone like that behind them can only be good for Welsh rugby as a whole.

by PhilBB Fri 22 Apr 2016, 11:25 am

mikey_dragon wrote:Not sure about Terry, he's never had an affiliation to rugby in Newport, but his son has.

We've signed South African Pat Howard. I'm a bit underwhelmed, but if he's anything like Meyer I'll be overjoyed. He plays centre and wing so hopefully we can offload Nick Scott.

You rate Meyer?

by GavinDragon Fri 22 Apr 2016, 11:43 am

You also have to realise Matthew Pewtner has retired this season. So we are only replacing a body rather than over stocking.

And yes I rate Meyer. Strong in the tackle and a massive boot (which kept Gloucester out of our half for long periods).

He is never going to play for Wales, but he is a good solid regional player for us.

by mikey_dragon Fri 22 Apr 2016, 12:03 pm

GavinDragon wrote:You also have to realise Matthew Pewtner has retired this season. So we are only replacing a body rather than over stocking.

And yes I rate Meyer. Strong in the tackle and a massive boot (which kept Gloucester out of our half for long periods).

He is never going to play for Wales, but he is a good solid regional player for us.

+ 1. What's impressive for me is how he worked his way up through Ebbw Vale, to a few appearances with us, to a contract. I hope all of this answers Phils question.

by PhilBB Fri 22 Apr 2016, 4:48 pm

You know that the NGD brought him over here as sponsors on his VISA, just to get him to EV so around the nWq limit?

He's not good enough, certainly not at 15. I'd like to see him play centre.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 22 Apr 2016, 4:49 pm

I thought as much: we're wrong to rate him. Thanks again for putting us right.

by mikey_dragon Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:00 pm

Yeah... You'd think that had Phil been on the Blues committee a few years back they wouldn't have brought in the likes of Gavin Evans, etc.

by Guest Fri 22 Apr 2016, 10:26 pm

PhilBB wrote:You know that the NGD brought him over here as sponsors on his VISA, just to get him to EV so around the nWq limit?

He's not good enough, certainly not at 15. I'd like to see him play centre.

It's pretty common knowledge that NGD were the sponsors on the visa. Twas even on BBC sport online if memory serves. In the interview with him, like.

You don't get a sporting visa without a sponsor, after all, and who is going to sponsor a sporting visa other than a sports team?

by GavinDragon Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:40 pm

Proud of the guys performance this evening. Just outmuscled in the end by a far bigger pack of forwards. 8 points left on the board is criminal against a side like Montpellier. I thought our back row and 12-15 did well, but we were really poor in the front five and clueless at 10 until AOB came on and by then it was too late.

While I do want Kingsley to stay on next season, if he keeps playing his son ahead of AOB or Macleod even, I fear we will never improve results. AOB is inconsistent sure, but he has very good qualities which, given a run of games and some solid coaching, should be brought to the fore and reduce his being erratic. Wish we could fast forward 3-4 years to when Leon Brown comes of age!

by Luckless Pedestrian Sun 24 Apr 2016, 8:34 am

I hear people saying Dorian takes the ball to the line, and he does, but so does O'Brien, and for me he's a better distributor. He seems to have more about him, and seems to be the more composed of the two. Also, I don't remember Dorian playing outside half for Wales under-20s.

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:03 am

So we have a home pre season game against Exeter and a development game at Ystrad-Wibbly against the Ealing Trailfinders.

An away game would have been nice - loved the one against Bristol at Clifton RFC a few seasons ago.

by wayne Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:04 am

Poster on our forum (Ospreys) saying we have signed Alex Jeffries from significantly Newport RFC, apparently played with Thornton in Wales U20s, he seems very tall for a Tight Head 6'4", can anybody on here give any light on how good he is or is liable to get.

Please only sensible replies NOT any of this poaching crap, or any other rubbish.

by GavinDragon Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:41 am

I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:48 am

Would be nice to see Brown in a Dragons shirt this season.

Who do people see leaving us ?

Im guessing

Brew
Stankovitch
Lynn's boy Wink

TRT
Warren

by **RiscaGame** Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:49 am

Warren?

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:51 am

RiscaGame wrote:Warren?

Adam Warren ?

by wayne Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:52 am

GavinDragon wrote:I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.

Gavin it is only a poster on our forum saying so, nothing on the Website, so it could be a wind up, we have Arhip, Fia, Suter who is too small and supposedly Rhodri Jones as our tight head options for next season and if we have to rely on Suter and Jones we are in big trouble.

We signed Gareth Thomas from IIRC Carmarthen Quins 2 or 3 years ago to groom into a decent loose head, he was 6th choice at the early part of last season and with Paul James out with injury he is now on the bench behind Nicky Smith, so progressing nicely if Jeffries can do the same for us on the other side of the scrum good news, hopefully Leon Brown can progress very quickly too, he does look an excellent prospect for you.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 11:55 am

GavinDragon wrote:I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.

We're bringing in Craig Mitchell, so there goes another tight-head berth.

by GavinDragon Mon 25 Apr 2016, 12:15 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.

We're bringing in Craig Mitchell, so there goes another tight-head berth.

I think Mitchell is a good signing and Jeffries, like Brown, is 2-3 seasons away (if at all) from being ready.

Just wish we had the £££ to keep these boys as well as make the signings required to make the team competitive.

by GavinDragon Mon 25 Apr 2016, 12:16 pm

munkian wrote:Would be nice to see Brown in a Dragons shirt this season.

Who do people see leaving us ?

Im guessing

Brew
Stankovitch
Lynn's boy
TRT
Warren

Not sure about the last two. Depends on contracts I suppose. I think I did a piece way earlier in this thread about when contracts are up. I don't think there are too many due up this year.

by mikey_dragon Mon 25 Apr 2016, 1:46 pm

wayne wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.
Gavin it is only a poster on our forum saying so, nothing on the Website, so it could be a wind up, we have Arhip, Fia, Suter who is too small and supposedly Rhodri Jones as our tight head options for next season and if we have to rely on Suter and Jones we are in big trouble.

We signed Gareth Thomas from IIRC Carmarthen Quins 2 or 3 years ago to groom into a decent loose head, he was 6th choice at the early part of last season and with Paul James out with injury he is now on the bench behind Nicky Smith, so progressing nicely if Jeffries can do the same for us on the other side of the scrum good news, hopefully Leon Brown can progress very quickly too, he does look an excellent prospect for you.

I've seen the lad (Jeffries) and he's a bit of a drip. 6'4 is off, he's somewhere between 6'2 and 3. I'm comparing him to my own height and that of Leon Brown who is 6'2 - Brown is a physical beast btw. If Jeffries was that good I think we'd have heard more of it by now. He's been with Newport RFC for a while and not yet replaced Phil Price so that should tell you a bit more...

by **RiscaGame** Mon 25 Apr 2016, 1:51 pm

munkian wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Warren?

Adam Warren ?

Yeah, I'm not sure why he would be off. He can't be out of contract and has been pretty important for us to get rid of this summer, even with Dixon and Beard.

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 1:52 pm

RiscaGame wrote:
munkian wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Warren?

Adam Warren ?

Yeah, I'm not sure why he would be off. He can't be out of contract and has been pretty important for us to get rid of this summer, even with Dixon and Beard.

Yeah, could be well be wrong about Warren then Doh

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 2:00 pm

We'll be going for the centre injury crisis hat-trick next season.

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 2:09 pm

When fit we'll have the following available centers next season -

Adam Hughes
Adam Warren
Jack Dixon
Tyler Morgan
Pat Howard

Plus maybe some of the academy guys ? Nightingale etc

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 2:13 pm

Sam Beard, too.

by munkian Mon 25 Apr 2016, 2:16 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Sam Beard, too.

Ah yes, bit more depth.

Possibly a stupid question but has Leach retired now ?

by wayne Mon 25 Apr 2016, 3:20 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
wayne wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:I will be very dissapointed if that is the case.

He is a big lad. I have only seem him play against Nottingham in a PSF last year at YM. He was only on for the last 15 minutes but the scrum went forward each time.

Dissapointing to lose another with potential, but I suppose if we can only afford to develop so many, and we have put our stock in Leon Brown, then that is the financial reality of the situation.
Gavin it is only a poster on our forum saying so, nothing on the Website, so it could be a wind up, we have Arhip, Fia, Suter who is too small and supposedly Rhodri Jones as our tight head options for next season and if we have to rely on Suter and Jones we are in big trouble.

We signed Gareth Thomas from IIRC Carmarthen Quins 2 or 3 years ago to groom into a decent loose head, he was 6th choice at the early part of last season and with Paul James out with injury he is now on the bench behind Nicky Smith, so progressing nicely if Jeffries can do the same for us on the other side of the scrum good news, hopefully Leon Brown can progress very quickly too, he does look an excellent prospect for you.

I've seen the lad (Jeffries) and he's a bit of a drip. 6'4 is off, he's somewhere between 6'2 and 3. I'm comparing him to my own height and that of Leon Brown who is 6'2 - Brown is a physical beast btw. If Jeffries was that good I think we'd have heard more of it by now. He's been with Newport RFC for a while and not yet replaced Phil Price so that should tell you a bit more...

Yes Mikey, I'm only going what this poster said, according to Wiki he's 6'3", although he wouldn't replace Price who is a loose and Jeffries is a tight according to this poster, he wouldn't replace Harris for a fair few years if ever, if the rumour is true, we are taking a punt just like the example I mentioned, Thomas.

by mikey_dragon Mon 25 Apr 2016, 3:25 pm

Yeah he might actually be on the TH side. I was convinced that I had seen him play LH in the past though. I think our LH side could do with shoring up, and I also hear Franks might be available when LI get relegated...

by GavinDragon Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:25 pm

People blaming the coach and the ref for todays defeat. Fact is you look at the two starting xv'ss and how many would you swap? All bar Dee (marginal) and Amos. We are underfunded compared to the other regions this year, let alone next year when the Blues will add Gill, Nick Williams & Matthew Morgan, the Scarlets Patchell and JD2, and even the Ospreys are bringing this crusaders centre.

Who will we have? 2 Blues' rejects, a Sale retiree and.....

I am, and always will be proud of watching the best young talent Gwent has to offer, but until we have the money to not only keep the best, but attract the best talent for the gaps we have in production, we will forever be perennial whipping boys.

All that being said, me and the fam enjoyed today. Good entertainment in the first game and between the first and second game (had a sort of 7's type feel to the crowd).

I think next year if they try and sell en bloc and fill each section of stadium out with the same supporters it will help the atmosphere.

by True Raven Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:35 pm

I hope next year they don't bring back dj spoony.....

by GavinDragon Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:37 pm

I thought that was a good laugh, people were having a good sing song near me. A few dancing around as well. It made the time between games go quick. Hope it stays

by True Raven Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:51 pm

I thought there was zero atmosphere and about half the stadium left after the first game. Id be quite happy the day being scrapped and teams playing at their home venues.

Although credit to the organisers and people working there as I felt it ran smoothly and queues were going down relatively quick considering 68,000 people there

by GavinDragon Sat 30 Apr 2016, 9:58 pm

well considering it was my team that sacrificed their home venue, I am more than happy for it to continue.

by Guest Sat 30 Apr 2016, 10:14 pm

I believe the Dragons get a big (50%???) share of the gate receipts for our 'home' judgement day game? I appreciate and agree that the loss of a home game is a bit sh*t. But, if I'm correct about the gate receipt thing, it's a decent (but not ideal) trade off for us as a cash strapped region. The most we could get at home crowd-wise is circa 9000 so if this brings us in over and above the income we would have got for a home game then perhaps once a season it's sacrifice worth making.

Saying that, if league placing (and therefore potentially playoffs/top tier Europe rugby) was at stake (in our dreams!) it probably wouldn't be worth the cash for giving away home advantage where ALL teams are inevitably harder to beat. It's a tough one. Once again I'm on the fence a bit.

by True Raven Sat 30 Apr 2016, 10:19 pm

Yeah it wouldn't have affected the dragons this season but it sure as well screwed up the blues season. In a must win game for them they end up playing on a different pitch in a neutral stadium.

Like I said I'm not a fan but appreciate that some fans enjoy a day out with the family cheaply and if it brings a few supporters to more games then I guess it achieves its objectives

by Cardiff Dave Sat 30 Apr 2016, 10:30 pm

True Raven wrote:Yeah it wouldn't have affected the dragons this season but it sure as well screwed up the blues season. In a must win game for them they end up playing on a different pitch in a neutral stadium.

Like I said I'm not a fan but appreciate that some fans enjoy a day out with the family cheaply and if it brings a few supporters to more games then I guess it achieves its objectives

You got it.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 01 May 2016, 1:46 am

Griff wrote:I believe the Dragons get a big (50%???) share of the gate receipts for our 'home' judgement day game? I appreciate and agree that the loss of a home game is a bit sh*t. But, if I'm correct about the gate receipt thing, it's a decent (but not ideal) trade off for us as a cash strapped region. The most we could get at home crowd-wise is circa 9000 so if this brings us in over and above the income we would have got for a home game then perhaps once a season it's sacrifice worth making.

Saying that, if league placing (and therefore potentially playoffs/top tier Europe rugby) was at stake (in our dreams!) it probably wouldn't be worth the cash for giving away home advantage where ALL teams are inevitably harder to beat. It's a tough one. Once again I'm on the fence a bit.

33% at best. Not sure where you have got the half figure from? Two "home" teams are not going to have all the cut, but it's third of the cut anyway.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 01 May 2016, 1:49 am

True Raven wrote:Yeah it wouldn't have affected the dragons this season but it sure as well screwed up the blues season. In a must win game for them they end up playing on a different pitch in a neutral stadium.

Like I said I'm not a fan but appreciate that some fans enjoy a day out with the family cheaply and if it brings a few supporters to more games then I guess it achieves its objectives

Two teams won again today. Same as last year? So again, I'll ask do the "home" teams get more supporters from this?

by LordDowlais Sun 01 May 2016, 6:44 pm

Gwyn Jones had just ripped into your lot on Scrum V, also who was that blubbering Dragon's fan getting interviewed ? Where any of you lot on Scrum V tonight ?

by Stone Motif Sun 01 May 2016, 8:03 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Gwyn Jones had just ripped into your lot on Scrum V, also who was that blubbering Dragon's fan getting interviewed ? Where any of you lot on Scrum V tonight ?

Scrum V.

There's more hope of some decent analysis on Britain's got Talent.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 01 May 2016, 11:52 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Gwyn Jones had just ripped into your lot on Scrum V, also who was that blubbering Dragon's fan getting interviewed ? Where any of you lot on Scrum V tonight ?

Spell check still broke?

Sack your proof reader.

by mikey_dragon Mon 02 May 2016, 3:59 pm

Gwyn Jones pretty much stated the obvious, and that was a good point made. Then it descended into some obnoxious bull and I actually for a moment thought I was listening to LD speaking as that's how bad it was. He pretty much showed some casual fan ignorance and just how limited his Dragons knowledge is.

by bedfordwelsh Mon 02 May 2016, 4:14 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Gwyn Jones had just ripped into your lot on Scrum V, also who was that blubbering Dragon's fan getting interviewed ? Where any of you lot on Scrum V tonight ?

LD,

You mean my brother.

by mikey_dragon Mon 02 May 2016, 4:21 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Gwyn Jones had just ripped into your lot on Scrum V, also who was that blubbering Dragon's fan getting interviewed ? Where any of you lot on Scrum V tonight ?

LD,

You mean my brother.

I'm wondering where LD is going with this. Does he wish to send him flowers?

by mikey_dragon Mon 02 May 2016, 4:22 pm

BF if that was your brother, did you question his response to Gwyn's idiots logic?

by LordDowlais Mon 02 May 2016, 4:28 pm

You beat me to it mikey.

Bedford, was that really your brother ?

If it was then you need to have a word with him, Gwyn Jones ripped your region apart on national television and your brother just stuttered back at him when he should have put him strait.

Unless of course Gwyn might have just been speaking sense and your brother could not argue with him. I know what I am inclined to believe.

by Stone Motif Mon 02 May 2016, 4:55 pm

LordDowlais wrote:You beat me to it mikey.

Bedford, was that really your brother ?

If it was then you need to have a word with him, Gwyn Jones ripped your region apart on national television and your brother just stuttered back at him when he should have put him strait.

Unless of course Gwyn might have just been speaking sense and your brother could not argue with him. I know what I am inclined to believe.

The good thing being as it's Scrum V, only a bunch of mindless cretins would have been watching.

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