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

[munkian]

Actually forgot there was clwb rugbi on - cheers LP.

Won't be making the match - need someone else to take the Father Ted signs with them.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The Men of Gwent are looking to take away the win from the current Champions on Friday night

Seriously, what sort of English is that?

[munkian]

Don't make me come over there...

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I just think she's stealing a living, that's all. Her dad works at the Dragons in some capacity, so I bet they didn't even interview her.

[munkian]

I just think she's stealing a living, that's all. Her dad works at the Dragons in some capacity, so I bet they didn't even interview her.

Surprised she isn't starting at 10 then

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Bravo!

[Cardiff Dave]

I just think she's stealing a living, that's all. Her dad works at the Dragons in some capacity, so I bet they didn't even interview her.

Surprised she isn't starting at 10 then

Probably does and finishes at 4.

[mikey_dragon]

Couldn't be arsed to go tonight but good to hear that Ashton Hewitt touched down twice. I rate him very highly.

[munkian]

And the Ospreys get bummed

[Cardiff Dave]

And the Ospreys get bummed

Live on the holiday channel too.

[RiscaGame]

Both of Ashton's tries were good tonight. The first one especially. If only he was playing out west, there'd be talk of a Welsh cap.

[RiscaGame]

http://snpy.tv/2fa6rNA

[Guest]

Ole ole ole ole, Drag-uns Drag-uns! etc.

We beat the reigning champions in a show of champagne rugby, while depleted of all of our welsh internationals. Kudos!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Worrying news about McLeod as his stand-in AOB is very poor.

Truly you are the rugby oracle.

[mikey_dragon]

Worrying news about McLeod as his stand-in AOB is very poor.

Truly you are the rugby oracle.  

I can't take your word for it until I see it for myself, as in recent weeks you've claimed AOB was good when he was in fact poor. He seems to have slotted most of his kicks - basic stuff for your designated kicker like, but it's still an improvement on previous weeks and I hope that continues. I'm yet to be convinced that he'll be good enough to be our fly-half going forward - at the end of this season I might be in a better position to judge that for myself. I'll judge it for you as well because you seem to be a bit biased.

And as for this, is there a feather up your rear or something? I openly state an opinion based on numerous games at various levels and you come back with this silly sh*t? Oh dear what a silly little girl-thing to do, go away and have a word with yourself will you fam.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You're hilariously thin-skinned, Mikey.

[munkian]

You're hilariously thin-skinned, Mikey.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Wales have released Tyler Morgan - with a hamstring injury. Thanks, Team Wales!

[munkian]

Cymru-am-biff-bash-bosh

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Clyfar iawn!

[munkian]

[mikey_dragon]

You're hilariously thin-skinned, Mikey.

Is that it?

How's the feather?

[Guest]

On a lighter Dragons related note, I was reminded the other day of a couple of guys who we used to see in the new Bisley Stand (I moved over there two seasons ago). They had a carrier bag of electrical plugs between them and they would sit there 'watching' the rugby while wiring the plugs! Now if that's not an advert for the quality of rugby on show at RP then I don't know what is. Multi-tasking at its best. Anyone else seen them? Or know them?! Is it you Luckless?!?!?!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

No, not me. I don't know how to wire a plug.

[RiscaGame]

The hits keep on rolling. Just need them to break Cory now.

[munkian]

Apparently Amos is now out with a shoulder injury - presumably from carrying Wales in the 2nd half

[GavinDragon]

Details for away travel for Worcester and Blues up...

http://www.dragonssupportersclub.com/away-travel/

[munkian]

No squad announcement yet ?

[GavinDragon]

Kind of gutted I am not making it to this one. Interesting to see how the next generation step up. Keddie looked the best I have seen him in his cameo against Brive.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Leicester Tigers

15 Carl Meyer, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Jack Dixon (c), 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Geraint Rhys Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Phil Price, 2 Darran Harris, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Joe Davies, 5 Matthew Screech, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Harri Keddie.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Sam Hobbs, Leon Brown, Robson Blake, Josh Skinner, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson, Will Talbot-Davies.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The replacements bench, which has an average age of 21, sees six potential debutants for the Men of Gwent as Leon Brown, Bedwas star Robson Blake, Josh Skinner, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson and Will-Tabot Davies.

[formerly known as Sam]

Leicester Tigers (v Newport Gwent Dragons, Welford Road, Saturday 3pm)
15 George Worth
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Owen Williams
11 Peter Betham
10 Freddie Burns
9 Sam Harrison (c)
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Harry Thacker
3 Greg Bateman
4 Harry Wells
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Tom Croft
7 Will Evans
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
16 George McGuigan
17 Ellis Genge
18 Pat Cilliers
19 Ed Slater
20 Brendon O'Connor
21 Jono Kitto
22 Oli Bryant
23 Mathew Tait

Some more experience brought in for this one as Tigers are at home and will be looking to get some fluency toget her after a poot start to the season. Academy products Worth, Wells and Bryant remain involved. Look out for Thacker and Evans who are two exceptional young talents that have a real x factor. Three Welshmen in our starting line up in Williams, Roberts and Hamilton.

[munkian]

6 next to Croft ? You mean 11 or 14, right ?

[formerly known as Sam]

6 next to Croft ? You mean 11 or 14, right ?  

He played second row last weekend after coming off the bench. He's bulked up a bit and lost a little pace with age. Tigers still like moving their backrow around the backline though. We had the next Tuilagi on the bench covering 8 last weekend, shame he's not being given another go this week (he makes his uncle Manu look small).

[GavinDragon]

Both line ups are stronger than I expected - thought this was a purely development competition?

[munkian]

Both line ups are stronger than I expected - thought this was a purely development competition?

Both teams trying to get back on track after a poor season maybe ?

[GavinDragon]

Most likely.

[Welly]

Also Tigers backline hasn't played together in that setup.

Have a must win game v Quins next weekend so needs some game time together I guess.

[formerly known as Sam]

I have always thought that the teams have a gentleman's agreement to inform thé opposition about the comparative strength of the side they are going to put out. No one really wants to see their academy side get slaughtered by a full strength opposition.

Both sides probably want to get some players game time but give a few younger players a chance at the same time. As Welly says Tigers need to work hard and sort out both their defence and the inconsistent attack in the back line before Quins.

[dragon999]

Landman to Scarlets - not offered renewal

[Guest]

FFS.

[mikey_dragon]

Not offered? What the hell is going on?

[RiscaGame]

Shameless picking your boy at ten. Development comp. Should play Robson.
Farcical if we won't renew Landman.

[Stone Motif]

I can only think the dull tw5ts in charge of the Dragons experiment think that Cory Hill is now the second coming and we will be continuing to redefine forward play by putting a 6 in the second row next season.

In fairness RL does seem injured a lot.

[dragon4life]

Whilst he is probably our best second row in open play, I feel more confident of winning our own lineout when Cory is calling. If he does leave we need to invest in one or two locks

[Stone Motif]

Whilst he is probably our best second row in open play, I feel more confident of winning our own lineout when Cory is calling. If he does leave we need to invest in one or two locks

Don't be daft, Crosswell is the future of lock play

[Stone Motif]

Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Leicester Tigers

15 Carl Meyer, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Jack Dixon (c), 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Geraint Rhys Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle; 1 Phil Price, 2 Darran Harris, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Joe Davies, 5 Matthew Screech, 6 James Thomas, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Harri Keddie.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Sam Hobbs, Leon Brown, Robson Blake, Josh Skinner, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson, Will Talbot-Davies.

I assume the pack got the predicted bumming off Leicester then?

[GavinDragon]

1. Landman has been offered a deal, and the region are in advanced talks with him.

2. Yes, Scarlets and Blues are both talking to him and he has agreed terms, but not signed, with the Scarlets (I believe)

3. They will try and keep him, but again if another region want to pay more than we can afford, do we jeoardise the business to keep him, or let him go and bring someone else in?

4. Rynard has been struggling with a calf injury all this season

5. I also cannot believe that GRJ played at 10 on Leicester, this nepotism, or a situation where nepotism can occur, needs to be stopped.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

3. I wouldn't be confident that his replacement would be as good as him, or better. The last few South African signings have been really good by Dragons standards, but Craig Mitchell was clearly a bad signing.

[GavinDragon]

I think the my biggest issue issue with him leaving is it just reinforces the perception that we are a development region.

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