Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, 25 February

                                 
Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
Thursday 25 February 2016
KO 19:05
Rodders Parade

Live on BBC Wales and BBC Alba

Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 22nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Dai Cambourne (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)

A. Head to Head

25 Played 25
13 Wins 10
10 Losses 13
2 Draws 2
479 Points 545

B. Form

Glasgow Warriors 29 - 15 Newport Gwent Dragons
16th October 2015

Glasgow Warriors 19 - 15 Newport Gwent Dragons
30th November 2014

Newport Gwent Dragons 13 - 33 Glasgow Warriors
20th September 2014

C. Teams
Newport Gwent Dragons 

Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Nick Scott, Angus O'Brien, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas (capt), Brok Harris, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Hugh Gustafson, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ross Wardle.

Glasgow Warriors

Peter Murchie; Taqele Naiyaravoro, Glenn Bryce, Alex Dunbar, Rory Hughes; Duncan Weir, Mike Blair; Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Fraser Brown, Sila Puafisi, Greg Peterson, Leone Nakarawa, Rob Harley, Simon Favaro, Josh Strauss (capt).

Replacements: James Malcolm, Gordon Reid, Zander Ferguson, James Eddie, Chris Fusaro, Grayson Hart, Fraser Lyle, Lee Jones.

To shreds you say ?

Hope Amos is released now. Probably be on team Wales tackle bag duty tho.

Thursday night means I'm going so Glasgow will have at least three supporters!

Really need another win here - with 5 points ideally.

Bring buckfast.

Newport had been playing well recently bar the Treviso game. I expect a reaction.

Glasgow will need to bring down a strong pack. Need one of Weir or Horne for me to feel like Glasgow are favourites for 5 from the start.

Weir and Horne linked up nicely against Munster so I'd expect more of the same. Sean Lamont could be released by Scotland so we could see him at 13.

I think Glasgow will win again, but I don't see this as a 5 pointer. LBP probably for the Dragons.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Weir and Horne linked up nicely against Munster so I'd expect more of the same. Sean Lamont could be released by Scotland so we could see him at 13.

I think Glasgow will win again, but I don't see this as a 5 pointer. LBP probably for the Dragons.

If we get both Weir and Horne I would be surprised. I would prefer Lamont to stay on the wing and Bryce play 13.

I'd keep Big T on the wing personally, with Rory Hughes on the other. Bryce did well against Munster though so plenty sense in just keeping that midfield intact.

Scotland should include Russell and Jackson in the squad. No need for Weir and Horne to stay in my opinion.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd keep Big T on the wing personally

Yep, now that's he's definitely off Warriors should get their money's worth (wasn't it meant to be around £500k?)

SRN wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd keep Big T on the wing personally

Yep, now that's he's definitely off Warriors should get their money's worth (wasn't it meant to be around £500k?)

That is 10% of the annual playing budget on a project winger who did not bother showing up for the first 2 months...in my head I thought it was 250-300k at most!

funnyExiledScot wrote:Weir and Horne linked up nicely against Munster so I'd expect more of the same. Sean Lamont could be released by Scotland so we could see him at 13.

I think Glasgow will win again, but I don't see this as a 5 pointer. LBP probably for the Dragons.

If I recall correctly, the last time you were in Newport, you had a player sent off but still came away with a bonus-point win

Then there was the time you won 60 - 3 or something stupid...

So you're saying revenge on Thursday then Luckless. I like it

Hazel Sapling wrote:

SRN wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'd keep Big T on the wing personally

Yep, now that's he's definitely off Warriors should get their money's worth (wasn't it meant to be around £500k?)

That is 10% of the annual playing budget on a project winger who did not bother showing up for the first 2 months...in my head I thought it was 250-300k at most!

Yep, no wonder Toonie looked so glum talking about it on the Warrior's video.

To be fair it was always a punt, had it come off and he hasn't been capped by Australia then we'd have been delighted. Bar him an Shingler we've been pretty lucky in regards to project players.

'Newport Gwent Dragons will be without Wales wing/full-back Hallam Amos for Thursday's Guinness Pro12 clash with champions Glasgow (kick-off 7.05pm).

'The 21-year-old has not been selected for the Six Nations encounter with France but is expected to be 24th man at Principality Stadium, on Friday a role previously fulfilled by now injured centre Cory Allen.'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14296484.Dragons_without_Amos_for_Glasgow_encounter/

Farce.

Howley even said something about his lack of game time mun. To be fair I can see how carrying tackle bags constitutes game time and all that, but surely he'd be better playing for us. Be a good test against their big lump on the wing too.

Now we have to endure Nick Scott again.

Oh heck. I feel even worse after reading that. So basically we are looking at

Meyer, Hewitt, Hughes, Warren, Scott, AOB, Sarel, Phil, TRT, Brok, Dai Landman, Hill/Screech, Evans (if fit)/Benjamin, Cudd, Crosswell

The new galactico, Buckley, Knight, Screech/Hill, Benjamin, Davies, Kingsley's boy, Wardle

Things are looking good

I didn't know Elliot Dee was injured. He probably wouldn't have started anyway...

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I didn't know Elliot Dee was injured. He probably wouldn't have started anyway...

Me neither. I assumed Tovey would be fit too, to at least give us better ten cover.

RiscaGame wrote:Farce.

Howley even said something about his lack of game time mun. To be fair I can see how carrying tackle bags constitutes game time and all that, but surely he'd be better playing for us. Be a good test against their big lump on the wing too.

Now we have to endure Nick Scott again.

Game time pfah. His time will be better spent on the leg press.

True enough, I suppose he gets a good week of WODs now

RiscaGame wrote:True enough, I suppose he gets a good week of WODs now

Works for 'Cuthy'

Stone Motif wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:True enough, I suppose he gets a good week of WODs now

Works for 'Cuthy'

Watch Gats describe Amos as 'too bulky' for wing/FB in the next few years. That'll be the next clanger.

Howley says Amos doesnt have enough gametime - then keeps him away from his region to hold tackle bags. FFS.

RiscaGame wrote:True enough, I suppose he gets a good week of WODs now

WODs?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:True enough, I suppose he gets a good week of WODs now

WODs?

Workout Of the Day. Crossfit speak!

That explains why I didn't know what it meant.

Glasgow Team up

15. Peter Murchie
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
13. Glenn Bryce
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Rory Hughes
10. Duncan Weir
9. Mike Blair

1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
2. Fraser Brown
3. Sila Puafisi
4. Greg Peterson
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Rob Harley
7. Simone Favaro
8. Josh Strauss (Captain)

Replacements

16. James Malcolm
17. Gordon Reid
18. Zander Fagerson
19. James Eddie
20. Chris Fusaro
21. Grayson Hart
22. Fraser Lyle
23. Lee Jones

Not available due to injury: Alex Allan (concussion), Adam Ashe (shoulder), Kevin Bryce (shoulder), Ryan Grant (arm), Tyrone Holmes (foot), Gregor Hunter (concussion), Pat MacArthur (glut / hamstring), Henry Pyrgos (wrist), Fergus Scott (shoulder) and Richie Vernon (shoulder).

Dunbar and Brown are fit, we have Strauss (who should be playing for Scotland) and Weir starting, and a very good bench front row. Only disappointment is Swinson would be great for the bench here and not for Scotland!

I have faith this team should be able to handle Newport and go for 5 points.

Really strong Glasgow team, and very pleased to see Alex Dunbar and Fraser Brown making their comebacks. Decent impact subs on the bench as well (in the forwards).

That's the first choice back row for my money - I thought Favaro was exceptional as a impact sub against Munster.

I'd say Glasgow are lucky to have Strauss back for this one, but Scotland's loss is certainly Glasgow's gain. Duncar Weir is on decent form as well.

I said before that Glasgow would win, albeit not with a WBP, and that the Dragons would secure a LBP. I think it could now be more comprehensive.

Newport Team

Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Nick Scott, Angus O’Brien, Sarel Pretorius; Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas ©, Brok Harris, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Hugh Gustafson, Lloyd Fairbrother, Rynard Landman, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ross Wardle.

Has Lyn Jones explained why the f*ck Landman's on the bench?

Stupid decision.

It annoys me so much that you expect to look through his team selections and see something daft in there.

Pretty much as I said though, bar that strange call, 6/8 swapping and Barrel on the bench over Knight.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Has Lyn Jones explained why the f*ck Landman's on the bench?

Funnily enough that was one of the names I was looking for. You guys seem to have a bit more in the scrum and in the loose with Landman. Good leader. I was surprised to see him on the bench. Has he played a 5 or so games in succession or something?

Scotlnd have done Glasgow a few favours here, that is a very strong side to put out in an international window!

I don't feel as comfortable, while we have had one or two good wins over the Dragons we have struggled against them with a stronger team. They along with Cardiff seem to cause us problems

Bound to be a hard game on a cold Thursday night in Soith Wales but that I reckon that Glasgow team would give Scotland a good game.

Eejit wrote:Bound to be a hard game on a cold Thursday night in Soith Wales but that I reckon that Glasgow team would give Scotland a good game.

Nah. We saw in the 1872 Cup what happens when Nel, Ford and Dickinson play Glasgow.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Eejit wrote:Bound to be a hard game on a cold Thursday night in Soith Wales but that I reckon that Glasgow team would give Scotland a good game.

Nah. We saw in the 1872 Cup what happens when Nel, Ford and Dickinson play Glasgow.

The reigning Pro12 Champions needed to make way for more silverware. No worries though, we'll be trading you the 1872 cup for Meatball next season.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Has Lyn Jones explained why the f*ck Landman's on the bench?

Kirwan has alluded to his recent heavy workload. I don't understand why you'd want to short change your home support though. Why not rest him last week in Treviso or in some other away game otherwise?

Robin Davey said he's been playing with flu-like symptoms or something. He hides it well!

Eejit wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Eejit wrote:Bound to be a hard game on a cold Thursday night in Soith Wales but that I reckon that Glasgow team would give Scotland a good game.

Nah. We saw in the 1872 Cup what happens when Nel, Ford and Dickinson play Glasgow.

The reigning Pro12 Champions needed to make way for more silverware. No worries though, we'll be trading you the 1872 cup for Meatball next season.

I'd laugh if that wasn't true.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Robin Davey said he's been playing with flu-like symptoms or something. He hides it well!

Still? They were flogging him with a chest infection the other week weren't they?

The way we manage our best players is first class, fair play.

Never mind, it's only Glasgow tomorrow

I think that's an extremely strong Glasgow side, given that it's a 6Nations weekend. The replacement front row is excellent, there is real pace in the backs ( normally I would say, "Once you get the ball past Meatball." but he was electric against Munster) and the starting back row is one to terrify most opposition.

So, it's either a 5 point win and the charge for a top four spot really kicks on from here OR the Dragons smother the ball all night long and we come away with nothing and spend the rest of the season scrabbling for a top six spot.
Its one or the other tomorrow, I can't see it being close for either side.

That's a crazily strong Glasgow side, which it has to be given that nothing less than 5 points will work for us. Never mind the questions about why men have nipples and whether there is an ultimate creator; the question as to why Ryan 'are you looking at my kebab?' Wilson is in the Scotland squad when an animal like Strauss has been returned to his club is one of life's great unexplained phenomena.

Lots of interviews on Scottish rugby press with quotes from Dunbar and Blair saying they are desperate to get onto the field again tend to support the conclusion that it might be a long night for the Dragons but let's see how it goes.

jimbopip wrote:I think that's an extremely strong Glasgow side, given that it's a 6Nations weekend. The replacement front row is excellent, there is real pace in the backs ( normally I would say, "Once you get the ball past Meatball." but he was electric against Munster) and the starting back row is one to terrify most opposition.

So, it's either a 5 point win and the charge for a top four spot really kicks on from here  OR the Dragons smother the ball all night long and we come away with nothing and spend the rest of the season scrabbling for a top six spot.  
Its one or the other tomorrow, I can't see it being close for either side.

Because that's all we can possibly do?! How rude!

Shame to see Ryan Grant is injured - I've been one of his harshest critics over the last few years but sounds like he was starting to come back into some form.

Griff wrote:

jimbopip wrote:I think that's an extremely strong Glasgow side, given that it's a 6Nations weekend. The replacement front row is excellent, there is real pace in the backs ( normally I would say, "Once you get the ball past Meatball." but he was electric against Munster) and the starting back row is one to terrify most opposition.

So, it's either a 5 point win and the charge for a top four spot really kicks on from here  OR the Dragons smother the ball all night long and we come away with nothing and spend the rest of the season scrabbling for a top six spot.  
Its one or the other tomorrow, I can't see it being close for either side.

Because that's all we can possibly do?!  How rude!

I agree that Jimbo is being a little bit harsh. I don't see a Dragons win on this occasion, but I very much doubt you'll take, or be able to take, the "smother the ball" approach. The real key for the Dragons will be to hang on in the set piece. That's a pretty huge Glasgow pack with a high quality back row, so it'll be a huge battle to get a foothold in that regard. Once Glasgow get going most teams struggle, so fronting up in the forwards will be an absolute must and, although this could play to Glasgow, I'd be looking to keep that ball moving. Puafisi, Jerry Y, Greg P and Bob Harley are pretty powerful players but also not the quickest or most mobile. The Dragons need to find a way to get those guys blowing and manufacture mismatches in the defensive line. Easier said than done. The other potential Glasgow weakness is Duncan Weir. He had a stormer against Munster which probably means his good game of the season is out of the way. His kicking game has a touch of Las Vegas all or nothing about it. He has good range but virtually no direction at all. Glasgow will try to dominate territory and possession early doors, and use Blair and Weir to pin back the Dragons. It'll be important not to let Glasgow kick themselves 3-0, 6-0, 9-0 etc. Once they get ahead they have the firepower to cause havoc.

As a rugby fan, I'm happy Nakarawa is playing; as a Dragons fan, I'm a lot less happy about it.