Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

First topic message reminder :

Seeing as no one else has set one up, I thought I'd start a 2016/17 season thread for the mighty Dragons.

The Dragons website doesn't have a straightforward list of the squad members, so the best I can do is a link to the page:

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Teams/Squad/Dragons

Fri, 05 Aug 2016      Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 Parc Erias, Colwyn Bay F
Fri, 12 Aug 2016        Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport F
Sat, 20 Aug 2016        Ealing Trailfinders CCBC Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach F
Fri, 26 Aug 2016        Exeter Chiefs Rodney Parade, Newport F

Fri, 02 Sep 2016        Ulster Kingspan Stadium, Belfast GP12 BBC N Ireland
Fri, 09 Sep 2016        Zebre Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 17 Sep 2016               Munster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 Sky Sports
Fri, 23 Sep 2016        Benetton Rugby Treviso Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso GP12
Fri, 30 Sep 2016        Glasgow Warriors Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales

Sat, 08 Oct 2016        Scarlets Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli GP12 S4C
Sat, 29 Oct 2016        Ospreys Liberty Stadium, Swansea GP12 S4C, Sky Sports

Fri, 04 Nov 2016        Connacht Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sat, 12 Nov 2016        Leicester Tigers Welford Road, Leicester AWC
Fri, 18 Nov 2016         Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport AWC
Sun, 27 Nov 2016        Edinburgh Rugby Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 S4C

Sat, 03 Dec 2016        Leinster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin GP12 S4C
Mon, 26 Dec 2016        Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff GP12 BBC Two Wales

Sun, 01 Jan 2017        Ospreys Rodney Parade, Newport GP12 BBC Two Wales
Fri, 06 Jan 2017      Benetton Rugby Treviso Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
Sun, 29 Jan 2017        Newcastle Falcons Rodney Parade, Newport AWC

Sat, 04 Feb 2017        Gloucester Rugby Kingsholm, Gloucester AWC
10/11/12 Feb 2017        Munster Thomond Park, Limerick GP12
17/18/19 Feb 2017        Connacht The Sportsground, Galway GP12
24/25/26 Feb 2017        Leinster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12

3/4/5 Mar 2017             Glasgow Warriors Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow GP12
24/25/26 Mar 2017        Ulster Rodney Parade, Newport GP12

7/8/9 Apr 2017      Zebre Rugby Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma GP12
Sat, 15 Apr 2017      Scarlets Rodney Parade, Newport GP12
28/29/30 Apr 2017        Edinburgh Rugby Murrayfield, Edinburgh GP12

Sat, 06 May 2017        Cardiff Blues Rodney Parade, Newport GP12

[Stone Motif]

Have they proposed that they would invest in a fully pro Newport RFC? It would need to be a substantial investment.

I think the point is being missed here.

The business set up for a standalone NRFC encourages investment. The business set up for an independent NGD does not, as it has no assets. It is just a floating entity that is unpopular and, basically, has failed.

It's not being missed fam, honestly. Stone answered it before this post pretty much.

At first it seemed like people were alluding to some fantasy like "Make it Newport RFC again so the guys can invest and we'll come good." Btw anyone seen Newport in the premiership recently? Compare their fortunes with Merthyr who are actually receiving some investment from their owners. Hazel and Brown are probably the ones putting investors off, right pair of knackers they are.

But Newport RFC could generate that and more, instead they've been sacrificed for as Phil says a failed speculative venture.

[GavinDragon]

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

Pandy Park, The Bridge Field and Ystrad Mynach. Free entry, not only for Dragons ST holders, but also ST holders of each premiership club (Ebbw Vale, Newport, Cross Keys, Bedwas and Bargoed)

Adds another 3 matches onto our season tickets - not too shabby.

[mikey_dragon]

Have they proposed that they would invest in a fully pro Newport RFC? It would need to be a substantial investment.

I think the point is being missed here.

The business set up for a standalone NRFC encourages investment. The business set up for an independent NGD does not, as it has no assets. It is just a floating entity that is unpopular and, basically, has failed.

It's not being missed fam, honestly. Stone answered it before this post pretty much.

At first it seemed like people were alluding to some fantasy like "Make it Newport RFC again so the guys can invest and we'll come good." Btw anyone seen Newport in the premiership recently? Compare their fortunes with Merthyr who are actually receiving some investment from their owners. Hazel and Brown are probably the ones putting investors off, right pair of knackers they are.

But Newport RFC could generate that and more, instead they've been sacrificed for as Phil says a failed speculative venture.

Right we're back to misunderstanding. Perhaps they could, but for me a it's more of a matter of would (they). Given the state Newport RFC has been in over the last few seasons, you know the club that they own, I'm going to assume that's a no. Ideally they could purchase the Dragons, but they won't and they also may as well pull out of 'running' Newport RFC altogether. The 'Dragons Venture' has a better chance of becoming a brand, and Newport RFC isn't one.

[mikey_dragon]

BTW, anyone notice Tovey put in another MOTM performance last night?

[Stone Motif]

Have they proposed that they would invest in a fully pro Newport RFC? It would need to be a substantial investment.

I think the point is being missed here.

The business set up for a standalone NRFC encourages investment. The business set up for an independent NGD does not, as it has no assets. It is just a floating entity that is unpopular and, basically, has failed.

It's not being missed fam, honestly. Stone answered it before this post pretty much.

At first it seemed like people were alluding to some fantasy like "Make it Newport RFC again so the guys can invest and we'll come good." Btw anyone seen Newport in the premiership recently? Compare their fortunes with Merthyr who are actually receiving some investment from their owners. Hazel and Brown are probably the ones putting investors off, right pair of knackers they are.

But Newport RFC could generate that and more, instead they've been sacrificed for as Phil says a failed speculative venture.

Right we're back to misunderstanding. Perhaps they could, but for me a it's more of a matter of would (they). Given the state Newport RFC has been in over the last few seasons, you know the club that they own, I'm going to assume that's a no. Ideally they could purchase the Dragons, but they won't and they also may as well pull out of 'running' Newport RFC altogether. The 'Dragons Venture' has a better chance of becoming a brand, and Newport RFC isn't one.

Yes, you clearly are back to misunderstanding. Not really a surprise but there we are.

The 'Dragons' will only become a brand with significant investment. No one will invest as the Dragons cannot offer any securityon that investment. Do we have to do this again?

What is happening to the RFC is only relevant insofar as it shows how a once-great club has been sacrificed to prop up a failing ideology. And even in that lowly state, the brand is still the one more recognisable to the bigger French and English markets.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah I agree with your 2nd and some of your 3rd point, not sure I agree with your 1st point though. I think you need to go back to my first comments on this matter and review the question asked - I get the jist of how they could invest, but they won't invest. You just need to look at Newport RFC to realize that.

[Stone Motif]

Yeah I agree with your 2nd and some of your 3rd point, not sure I agree with your 1st point though. I think you need to go back to my first comments on this matter and review the question asked - I get the jist of how they could invest, but they won't invest. You just need to look at Newport RFC to realize that.

Clearly we need new investors. What's going on with Newport isn't relevant though - currently they are stuck in a semi pro backwater with even less hope of reward/growth than the PrO'12. If they were back at the top table....

[mikey_dragon]

I think the only players we have capable of stepping into the Wales squad right now are Dixon and Buckley, who'd be third or fourth choice but are likely to benefit from the experience - and of course Amos. Morgan (Tyler) isn't been given enough game time to show that he can get back there. Mitchell might have been able to stake a claim for Wales at TH, but again isn't helped by the selection policy.

[mikey_dragon]

Game this Friday is against Brive in the European competition. They currently lie 7th in the Top14, one place ahead of Racing Metro. I don't know many of their squad but it's littered with Georgians and South Africans so presumably they're quite strong. I'm uncertain if they'll put out their best team for this fixture.

[RiscaGame]

Not a chance will they. With no perks to winning this comp any more, they will go weaker. Though of course, their budget is still bigger than ours so we have to respect that.

I have a feeling Dorian Jones will start this week, as I'm sure his dad will see it as the perfect chance to put him back in.

[Guest]

Dragons win is my prediction. BP win too. Big call I know. But 'tis the Challenge Cup way!

Then again I've been wrong in the past, but who cares?!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm struggling to get excited about the Challenge Cup, to be honest. I keep hearing how a good run in Europe might have a knock-on effect on our results in the Pro12, but we got to the semis the last two seasons and it didn't make a blind bit of difference to our league form.

[mikey_dragon]

Always enjoy seeing us do well in the competition but it is a shame that the main perk was removed. It's also interesting to play against different foreign opposition. I can't see it making a difference to league form either, it never has.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I think the referees we get in Europe have fewer preconceptions of us, which seems to help.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Harlequins have signed former Newport Gwent Dragons scrum-half Luc Jones on a three-month deal.

The 22-year-old son of former Newport director of rugby Lyn Jones started his career with the Dragons, playing in 25 games for the Pro12 club.

His last appearance came as a substitute in a 27-11 defeat by Treviso on 23 September.

"We are pleased to be able to bring in someone with Luc's ability," Quins director of rugby John Kingston said.

"Following an unfortunate injury to Calum Waters, it was important to secure the necessary depth at scrum-half ahead of a period of international unavailability."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37610639

I'm not saying I'm sad at the news, but have we even announced this officially yet?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

He was named in our European squad five days ago.

[RiscaGame]

I am surprised he has gained another pro contract. Obviously Lyn had a good chat when he was on his gardening leave. I know for a fact even our Prem clubs didn't want to have to play him, so how can a pro team?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I remember hearing they were both spotted down at the Stoop last season.

[GavinDragon]

SO that is the following out on loan and off the wage bill

Brew
Knight
Luc
Andrews
Garrett

Just wonder where those wages are now being spent?

[dragon999]

Looking to sign a big ball carrier - alledgedly

[mikey_dragon]

I'm hoping that's a lock.

[munkian]

Yeah, hope so too.

[PhilBB]

SO that is the following out on loan and off the wage bill

Brew
Knight
Luc
Andrews
Garrett

Just wonder where those wages are now being spent?

On the new drainage of Dave Parade.

[munkian]

The Men of Gwent take on CA Brive at Rodney Parade on Friday 14th October, KO 19:30.

The French side have played at Rodney Parade just once before in 2007 in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, where the Dragons took away the win with six tries. Looking forward to the European competition Ceri Jones, Dragons forwards coach commented: “We've got a good record in Europe and want to keep that going, hopefully that will kick-start us for the league as well.

"There's an exciting couple of weeks coming up with the Ospreys after we go away to Russia, which will be an interesting trip and a good experience.

"I was fortunate to win the tournament twice with Quins. I've got really good memories of the competition and it gives everyone a fresh lease of life to an extent.

"You are going away to play different opposition to the sorts of teams you play week in, week out in the league and we are excited by it."

The position of fullback sees the return of Carl Meyer, as he joins wings Ashton Hewitt and Hallam Amos in the back three. The centre partnership has one change to it as Welsh International Tyler Morgan joins last weekends double try scorer Adam Warren. There are no changes made to the half-backs as Nick Macleod and scrum-half Charlie Davies retain their positions.

The front row has one change made to it as Thomas Davies replaces Sam Hobbs to join tight head prop Brok Harris, with the hooker position once again filled by Rhys Buckley. The second row sees hard hitting lock Rynard Landman join Cory Hill, with the back row including flankers James Thomas and skipper Lewis Evans alongside number 8 Ed Jackson.

The replacements bench has three changes made to it as Phil Price returns from injury with Craig Mitchell and Harri Keddie, join Darran Harris, Matthew Screech, Sarel Pretorius, Angus O’Brien and Sam Beard.

Newport Gwent Dragons team to play CA Brive

15 Carl Meyer, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Charlie Davies; 1 Thomas Davies, 2 Rhys Buckley, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Cory Hill, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 James Thomas, 7 Lewis Evans (c), 8 Ed Jackson.

Replacements: Darran Harris, Phil Price, Craig Mitchell, Matthew Screech, Harrison Keddie, Sarel Pretorius, Angus O’Brien, Sam Beard.

Don’t forget that all Dragons Season Members can use their Season Tickets for this match. Supporters can also buy tickets by clicking here or by calling 01633 674990.

Unavailable for selection: Adam Hughes (Concussion), Dorian Jones (Groin), James Benjamin (Ankle), Elliot Dee (Ankle), Thomas Rhys Thomas (Shoulder). There is also a group of players following a tough match against the Scarlets that have picked up a few niggles and have not been selected: Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Sam Hobbs, Tom Prydie, Ollie Griffiths.

[mikey_dragon]

SO that is the following out on loan and off the wage bill

Brew
Knight
Luc
Andrews
Garrett

Just wonder where those wages are now being spent?

On the new drainage of Dave Parade.

Presumably that comes out of the pockets of the stadium owners...

[mikey_dragon]

hopefully that will kick-start us for the league as well.

He went there.

[mikey_dragon]

Dixon is probably our best centre this season...

[munkian]

Some sh1tty backrow injuries there

[mikey_dragon]

If they stopped playing flankers at lock, and played actual locks there, like against the Scarlets for example then back-row players like Crosswell might be available to play in the 'back-row' this weekend. If this is a game we want to win then I don't understand why Dixon would be dropped from the squad altogether? I would have kept the midfield unchanged and put Morgan to bench. I'm also a bit weary of throwing Ashton straight back in but hopefully it doesn't take the lad long to rediscover his try-scoring form. Prydie actually looked good last weekend and as of late (it might just be me here) Meyer has looked really slow.

[mikey_dragon]

Brive: Benjamin Lapeyre, Elia Radikedike, Arnaud Mignardi, Christopher Tuatara, Guillaume Namy, Thomas Laranjeira, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Vivien Devisme, Guillaume Ribes, Damien Jourdain, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Johan Snyman, William Whetton, Fabien Sanconnie, Petrus Hauman (captain)

Replacements: Francois Da Ros, Damien Lavergne, Soso Bekoshvili, Jan Uys, Peniami Narisia, Jean-Baptiste Pejoine, Taku Ngwenya, Sevanaia Galala

Don't know much/anything about these players, apart from they're either Georgian or South African.

[munkian]

Hewitt hasn't really been thrown back in - he's had a run of prem games to ease him back from injury.

I don't get the changes to mid field either except to cram Morgan back in - if anyone is being thrown back in its him.

Im guessing if Prydie was fit then we'd have Prydie, Hewitt and Amos in the back.

We don't exactly have much depth at lock.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Am I missing something? They've listed the players who are out injured and also the players who have niggles and are sitting it out, but Jack Dixon's not mentioned anywhere. Has he just been given the weekend off?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The replacements bench has three changes made to it as Phil Price returns from injury with Craig Mitchell and Harri Keddie, join Darran Harris, Matthew Screech, Sarel Pretorius, Angus O’Brien and Sam Beard.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, her writing is shocking. It's a good job the Dragons website doesn't get many hits.

[RiscaGame]

I'm just thankful the Dregs are finally providing some sort of update as to why some players haven't been picked.

[GavinDragon]

The Prem Select side vs Bedford http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/47032

[mikey_dragon]

Harry Keddie on the bench tonight and also starting for the Prem Select?

[GavinDragon]

Obviously not planning to use him tonight then. I imaging if he plays more than 20 minutes, he will not play tomorrow

[mikey_dragon]

I was thinking that might be the case. If the game is a sure thing by the 75th minute they might let him go on for a run. Anyway the prem select XV is pretty decent, has a good mix to it. Of course if we had better depth ourselves then we'd be able to fit more professional players into that outfit. Finishing up here soon - straight to puregym then straight over Dave for me, have a good'un Gav.

[GavinDragon]

Make sure you enter the 50/50 draw for a chance to win some dough. £1 entry. http://www.dragonssupportersclub.com/5050draw/

I will be the one running round like a head case selling the raffle tickets for it.

[Guest]

Yay, we're awesome again! We just don't bother in the league

[Guest]

Or..... that cup that gives us a false sense of success and ability

[GavinDragon]

For 50 minutes Brive were well up for it. They either gave up the ghost or ran out of steam and I am not sure which.

We stuck to the game plan and things, for a change, stuck. Some good decisions made and few mistakes, especially in contact.

Amos is class. I think Lewis Evans is probably having his best spell since breaking through.

On the other side of the ledger, Tyler seems to have lost his spark. I wonder whether injuries have taken their toll?

[mikey_dragon]

It wasn't great from us. Brive tired and dragons could see that so killed them off. I suppose a positive is that we finished strongly. Again AOB came on and his impact was negative - so it should be clear to those who said otherwise that I was right, again. Tyler Morgan wasn't good either I'm sorry to say, his decision making in attack is poor. Our best centres this season have been Dixon paired with either Beard or Warren - both of the latter were good this evening. They were packed full of Georgians but gained the upper hand on the likes of Harris and Davies so that's a bit of a worry for me.

[RiscaGame]

I've read people say Angus did well when he came on. Also, Argus were full of praise for Brok Harris, so I assumed the scrum did ok?

Good result. Need to back it up next week.

[wayne]

I've read people say Angus did well when he came on. Also, Argus were full of praise for Brok Harris, so I assumed the scrum did ok?

Good result. Need to back it up next week.

Risca, listened to part of your game on the way home from the Liberty last night and the commentators said a number of substitutions really came off and one of those was AOB, and they said Brok had a good game and let me finally add what a great night for Welsh Rugby and Football Cardiff City also won, and also for the Pro 12 with Glasgow ROUTING the Tigers.

[RiscaGame]

Cheers Wayne. I was sound asleep due to Malaysia and UK time difference and so have no clue how people went. But if the Argus were saying Brok outshone Lewis Evans (who apparently played well too), then it must be right.

Was pleased that all Welsh pro teams won yeah and Cardiff City aye.

[mikey_dragon]

Cobblers. When AOB came on one of his first acts was to kick the ball straight to touch from a kick-off, followed up by more missed kicks at goal. I can't see what he did well tbh, unless you count him not running into traffic and getting turned over as playing well; are some dragons fans in danger of becoming Turks with all this chat? Very worrying if so. Harris was strong in contact and in the driving maul - defence and attack, but eventually he just kept getting mullered in the scrum. The whole team was strong around the contact area tbh and we were able to play how we wanted against a less organised defence.

[mikey_dragon]

Cheers Wayne. I was sound asleep due to Malaysia and UK time difference and so have no clue how people went. But if the Argus were saying Brok outshone Lewis Evans (who apparently played well too), then it must be right.

Was pleased that all Welsh pro teams won yeah and Cardiff City aye.

Can't agree with that either. Shanks carried and defended well all night, leading by example. He did well against a crap ref too.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Again AOB came on and his impact was negative - so it should be clear to those who said otherwise that I was right, again.

I've read people say Angus did well when he came on.

Risca, listened to part of your game on the way home from the Liberty last night and the commentators said a number of substitutions really came off and one of those was AOB

Cobblers... I can't see what he did well tbh... are some dragons fans in danger of becoming Turks with all this chat?

Mikey, different people can hold different opinions. It's part of life. Don't get so worked up about it.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

They were packed full of Georgians but gained the upper hand on the likes of Harris and Davies so that's a bit of a worry for me.

Yes, those Georgians are notoriously weak scrummagers.

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