Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

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.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The point is that this 'players coming from winning sides' thing didn't seem to apply last season when the Blues were sh!te, their players were selected regardless. I'm not saying the Wales team should be full of Dragons players, by the way, it's the principle of it. If a player in one struggling team is just plain better than his counterpart in another, better team, surely you'd want to pick the better player regardless?

[Steffan]

It's pretty obvious that Gatland has his favourite players so I wouldn't say it's just a Dragons thing. James Hook could win every trophy possible and still not get picked

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Hook is yesterday's man.

[GavinDragon]

The point is that this 'players coming from winning sides' thing didn't seem to apply last season when the Blues were sh!te, their players were selected regardless. I'm not saying the Wales team should be full of Dragons players, by the way, it's the principle of it. If a player in one struggling team is just plain better than his counterpart in another, better team, surely you'd want to pick the better player regardless?

Has it ever been any different? Remember Prydie being plucked from absolutely nowhere to start vs Italy even though we had players at the time (Will Harries, Adam Hughes) who were outplaying him (and in the case of the latter have proven to be better players than him)

[Steffan]

Agreed but it's clear that Gatland preferes certain players over others

Alex Cuthbert being the main one

[munkian]

Kingsley Jones confirmed as head coach, DOR position scrapped.

Hopefully they'll spend Lyn's wages on some reliable supporting coaches.

[GavinDragon]

Yes that would be the hope! TBH, for a one year stop gap, why not pick up a greg woods and or richie rees from the prem.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The point is that this 'players coming from winning sides' thing didn't seem to apply last season when the Blues were sh!te, their players were selected regardless. I'm not saying the Wales team should be full of Dragons players, by the way, it's the principle of it. If a player in one struggling team is just plain better than his counterpart in another, better team, surely you'd want to pick the better player regardless?

Has it ever been any different? Remember Prydie being plucked from absolutely nowhere to start vs Italy even though we had players at the time (Will Harries, Adam Hughes) who were outplaying him (and in the case of the latter have proven to be better players than him)

No it's not new, I just don't quite understand it. I get the whole 'winning culture' thing, but I don't know how that can trump actual playing ability. If playing for a winning team was the deciding factor, then you wouldn't bother with 'XV of the tournament / season', you'd just name the team that won it. The only nominees for player of the season would come from the winning team.

[mikey_dragon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36268152

Kingsley staying, but we suspected that anyway. No DOR next season, but hopefully some decent specialist coaches to help out.

[Cardiff Dave]

So you face a team as low as you in the league, both with nothing to play for and you're bragging about nilling them in the 2nd half? If that's not desperately clutching at straws then I don't know what is.
I'm also unsure as to why you're mentioning North's form? It's not like Wales can put out a team of 15 George Norths...

Me brag about Cardiff? Steady on. I knock 'em more often than not.
I mentioned North for a larf coz he's Welsh and you brought up the Welsh thing.
Anyway, hope not-Newport sort their stuff and sign up a host of class acts which will put the willies up the Pieman and urge him to further improve the quality of the beef content at the Arms Park.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/44862/dragons-supporters-club-update

[LordDowlais]

Craig Mitchell and Sam Hobbs are signing for Dragons then.

[GavinDragon]

That was announced a month or so ago LD

[PhilBB]

That was announced a month or so ago LD

Why have you protected your tweets?

[LordDowlais]

That was announced a month or so ago LD

Sorry, just saw it officially announced by Cardiff today, along with Gareth Davies going to Merthyr and about 9-10 others who are leaving the region.

[GavinDragon]

That was announced a month or so ago LD

Why have you protected your tweets?

Long story. But does this mean that you can't respond now?

[PhilBB]

That was announced a month or so ago LD

Why have you protected your tweets?

Long story. But does this mean that you can't respond now?

I can't see them. Do I have to beg to read them, or something?

[GavinDragon]

Not at all. But I had wondered why I hadn't had any responses when I had tweeted you. You usually come back with a riposte or two.

In fact had you even been getting the notifications that I had tweeted you?

[PhilBB]

Not at all. But I had wondered why I hadn't had any responses when I had tweeted you. You usually come back with a riposte or two.

In fact had you even been getting the notifications that I had tweeted you?

Beg has been sent.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14498373.Dragons_region_has_potential_for__big_things___says_Gough/

[munkian]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14498373.Dragons_region_has_potential_for__big_things___says_Gough/

Didn't Lyn say something along the same lines when he started with us 'I will awaken the sleeping giant that is Gwent'

[George Carlin]

Tovey gets a two year deal with Edinburgh and pretty much everyone up there is delighted about that. Will be very interesting to see how he kicks on as he will be behind a very good pack next season.

[munkian]

Tovey gets a two year deal with Edinburgh and pretty much everyone up there is delighted about that. Will be very interesting to see how he kicks on as he will be behind a very good pack next season.

He can blow hot and cold in our experience but otherwise I reckon he should do well

[PhilBB]

Tovey gets a two year deal with Edinburgh and pretty much everyone up there is delighted about that. Will be very interesting to see how he kicks on as he will be behind a very good pack next season.

Just to remind you: he got homesick in Cardiff.

[Stone Motif]

Tovey gets a two year deal with Edinburgh and pretty much everyone up there is delighted about that. Will be very interesting to see how he kicks on as he will be behind a very good pack next season.

Just to remind you: he got homesick in Cardiff.

Really? I'd heard we actively went out of our way to bring him back, possibly to exact some sort of revenge on him for going to Carduff by making him second choice to Doris or even worse partnering him with Luc

[RiscaGame]

All this hot and cold nonsense is a bit guff for me. I feel like I've already done it to death now, but just to say again if he had not been messed about as much to cater for Kingsley Jr or to try and justify Lyn Jr playing 9 he could maybe have looked better to some. As it is/was he's still the best ten we had.

Edinburgh (a better side comfortably) are happy with him and seemingly so are their fans.

As for this homesick at Cardiff, I'd question how that's possible. I haven't heard that. He did want to return to NGD pretty early, but that was because of having the misfortune of working with Tulip in part and also the prospect of working with Lyp was attractive at the time, particularly given the fact Lyp was seemingly good for our attack during his short spell with us. But with the way things have ended for him this time, I doubt he'll be "homesick" this time. If anything Edinburgh won't be far enough away from the Nepotistic Gwent Dragons.

[Cardiff Dave]

Robin Davey on twttwr;
"The Dragons can be a big power rather than a feeder region if the whole of Gwent is incorporated in any buy-out, Ian Gough tells the Argus".
What does the bit in bold actually mean in reality?

[Stone Motif]

http://m.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14503190.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Ebbw_Vale_have_risen_thanks_to_there_being_one_love_and_one_common_goal

Kirwan counters with some sanity

[LordDowlais]

Can somebody please explain the difference for me, you see, because what is said in that link, is no different to how Pontypridd see Cardiff Blues, yet Pontypridd get called all sorts of things by people on here, but it looks as though Ebbw Vale fans veiw Newport Gwent Dragons in the same way, yet it is OK.

I am talking about statements like this:-

"Maybe future generations will be different, but those raucously cheering on Ebbw from the Sardis Road terrace on Sunday will never feel the same about another side, even if Newport and/or Gwent were to be dropped from the name."

[RiscaGame]

I can. Ebbw don't write anti Dragons stuff on their website or match day programmes (or any that have been brought to my attention anyway). Their fans seemingly don't spend their lives singing I will never be a Dragon. They don't have ex players and supporters suggesting they can beat pro teams. There is some sort of relationship there between Ebbw and NGD, judging by them not refusing to host games. Ebbw don't take players off NGD then bite the hand that feeds them.

The point most seem to raise towards some Ponty fans is they seem to go out of their way to be anti Cardiff. I haven't seen anything like it from Ebbw. They seem to understand they have a pro team they can support, but they just choose no to and get on with life. That's the difference.

[LordDowlais]

Cheers.

[Cardiff Dave]

There's also the fact that neither Ponty or Cardiff or their fans wanted a merger, so when the Celtic Warriors went @rse up it all kicked off.

[GavinDragon]

Also LD do remember that the commment you quoted is from a somewhat anti-regional journalist who is extremely pessimistic about the chances of a Gwent region prospering, and who, like his predecessor, believes that it should be Newport only.

[Stone Motif]

Also LD do remember that the commment you quoted is from a somewhat anti-regional journalist who is extremely pessimistic about the chances of a Gwent region prospering, and who, like his predecessor, believes that it should be Newport only.

Typically absurd logic leap Gaviney

[GavinDragon]

Am I wrong in suggesting that Kirwan, like Dave, thinks it should be a Newport branded?

[PhilBB]

Also LD do remember that the commment you quoted is from a somewhat anti-regional journalist who is extremely pessimistic about the chances of a Gwent region prospering, and who, like his predecessor, believes that it should be Newport only.

Kirwan is 'anti-regional'? What does that even mean?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I just wanted to highlight a difference in thinking between Gatland and Eddie Jones when it comes to selection. Here's Gatland:


"When you look at players, you want players coming out of winning sides, players coming into a team and being successful.

"Despite players performing well as individual it doesn't make a huge difference so some of the selections have been historical in terms of the players we know and who have performed for us in the past in our squad rather than domestic form."


And here's Jones:


"Marland's got a good, strong all-round game, great coachability. I think his best rugby is ahead of him.

"Ashton's done very well to score a lot of tries in a very strong team. You've always got to look at it in the context of what side they're playing for and the opportunities they have.

"He has done some good work. It's all relative to the strength of the team you're playing in and there are other areas of the game apart from scoring tries."

[RiscaGame]

Interesting. Still, I can't take anything Cement says seriously anymore.

[bedfordwelsh]

Can somebody please explain the difference for me, you see, because what is said in that link, is no different to how Pontypridd see Cardiff Blues, yet Pontypridd get called all sorts of things by people on here, but it looks as though Ebbw Vale fans veiw Newport Gwent Dragons in the same way, yet it is OK.

I am talking about statements like this:-

"Maybe future generations will be different, but those raucously cheering on Ebbw from the Sardis Road terrace on Sunday will never feel the same about another side, even if Newport and/or Gwent were to be dropped from the name."

Wrong, there was a fair contingent of fans who now go down to RP for Dragons game and that number is growing slowly thanks to the work the Dragons are doing within the youth set ups in Gwent.

I agree that future generations are the way ahead but the is a growing contingent that if fixtures fall right do go down to RP. Some are dragged there by kids and grandkids who want to see the stars play (and that's why we need to try and keep them) but at least they are going there.

[Cardiff Dave]

Am I wrong in suggesting that Kirwan, like Dave, thinks it should be a Newport branded?

[GavinDragon]

Can somebody please explain the difference for me, you see, because what is said in that link, is no different to how Pontypridd see Cardiff Blues, yet Pontypridd get called all sorts of things by people on here, but it looks as though Ebbw Vale fans veiw Newport Gwent Dragons in the same way, yet it is OK.

I am talking about statements like this:-

"Maybe future generations will be different, but those raucously cheering on Ebbw from the Sardis Road terrace on Sunday will never feel the same about another side, even if Newport and/or Gwent were to be dropped from the name."

Wrong, there was a fair contingent of fans who now go down to RP for Dragons game and that number is growing slowly thanks to the work the Dragons are doing within the youth set ups in Gwent.

I agree that future generations are the way ahead but the is a growing contingent that if fixtures fall right do go down to RP.  Some are dragged there by kids and grandkids who want to see the stars play (and that's why we need to try and keep them) but at least they are going there.

[Stone Motif]

Can somebody please explain the difference for me, you see, because what is said in that link, is no different to how Pontypridd see Cardiff Blues, yet Pontypridd get called all sorts of things by people on here, but it looks as though Ebbw Vale fans veiw Newport Gwent Dragons in the same way, yet it is OK.

I am talking about statements like this:-

"Maybe future generations will be different, but those raucously cheering on Ebbw from the Sardis Road terrace on Sunday will never feel the same about another side, even if Newport and/or Gwent were to be dropped from the name."

Wrong, there was a fair contingent of fans who now go down to RP for Dragons game and that number is growing slowly thanks to the work the Dragons are doing within the youth set ups in Gwent.

I agree that future generations are the way ahead but the is a growing contingent that if fixtures fall right do go down to RP.  Some are dragged there by kids and grandkids who want to see the stars play (and that's why we need to try and keep them) but at least they are going there.

What would you call a 'fair contingent' numbers wise?

[RiscaGame]

Never mind all that stuff. Did you see we have a new photocopier? Welsh qualified too, so that's pleasing.

I nearly renewed my ST right there and then.

[Stone Motif]

Never mind all that stuff. Did you see we have a new photocopier? Welsh qualified too, so that's pleasing.

I nearly renewed my ST right there and then.

Is it Kingsley's? If so, I look forward to the Argue story about how Cement Head has had a look at it.

[Cardiff Dave]

Never mind all that stuff. Did you see we have a new photocopier? Welsh qualified too, so that's pleasing.

Manufactured in Wales or merely assembled?

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/ ... rds_coach/

Good move IMO. Done well with Ebbw's pack and was in his Worcester role for a long time. Not to mention he was a damn good scrummaging prop himself. Also good to see us promoting from within the region.

Would have liked Strange as well mind!

[mikey_dragon]

Is he the former Quins player?

[GavinDragon]

NHSOB, Newport, Quins and Worcester

[Luckless Pedestrian]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/ ... rds_coach/

Good move IMO. Done well with Ebbw's pack and was in his Worcester role for a long time. Not to mention he was a damn good scrummaging prop himself. Also good to see us promoting from within the region.

Would have liked Strange as well mind!

We need a proper defence coach too! But I agree, this is a good appointment.

[Stone Motif]

Can he do anything with our pack? I think we can put out a first choice eight of reasonable prO'12 level but we're only one crocked starter away from a neonate and/or comedy player.

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