Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

First topic message reminder :

I understand that some players haven't had a break for a while, but still, either it's a must-win game (with a bonus point) or it isn't.

[Stone Motif]

Who's Andy just out of interest?

I'll give you a clue. He writes for the Fail, knows the square root of feck all about anything, and apparently moonlights as a drainage expert from Merthyr

[Cardiff Dave]

Do these "investors" intend to eventually "property develop" Rodders then? Is that the plan?

I doubt, as I imagine NRFC will continue to own it, Dragons just long term lease the ground. Providing security for NRFC's future.

Doesn't appear to be the case now. A sorry state of affairs indeed.

[Stone Motif]

I see Conty are trying to get the fans to help with the wage bill having bought that there 3G pitch. Ambition is critical eh Lord Andy?

[Cardiff Dave]

I see Conty are trying to get the fans to help with the wage bill having bought that there 3G pitch. Ambition is critical eh Lord Andy?

A Cardiff Ponty merger?
Marvelous!
To affinity and beyond.......!!!

[Steffan]

I see Conty are trying to get the fans to help with the wage bill having bought that there 3G pitch. Ambition is critical eh Lord Andy?

A Cardiff Ponty merger?
Marvelous!
To affinity and beyond.......!!!

I'd love a Cardiff Ponty merger. 'Conty' is a good name to me

Dragons away would be great. What ground would that be played at or has Stuart Davies not decided yet?

Anyway here's some clips of the latest action from Dave Parade:

[Stone Motif]

I see Conty are trying to get the fans to help with the wage bill having bought that there 3G pitch. Ambition is critical eh Lord Andy?

A Cardiff Ponty merger?
Marvelous!
To affinity and beyond.......!!!

I'd love a Cardiff Ponty merger. 'Conty' is a good name to me

Dragons away would be great. What ground would that be played at or has Stuart Davies not decided yet?

Anyway here's some clips of the latest action from Dave Parade:

Conty just works on loads of levels.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Cue guffawing:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15155406.Dragons_sign_Gavin_Henson__Former_Wales_and_Lions_playmaker_heading_for_Rodney_Parade/

[BigGee]

Cue guffawing:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15155406.Dragons_sign_Gavin_Henson__Former_Wales_and_Lions_playmaker_heading_for_Rodney_Parade/

How many games do you think you will get out of him next season?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I wouldn't want to jinx him!

If he can still 'do a job,' as they say, then he may as well be doing it for the Dragons. We're quite directionless at half back.

[Guest]

I'm happy with that signing. He looked very comfortable in the English premiership with Bristol, when fit. Didn't look out of his depth for a 35 year old so I think that bodes well for the Pro12.

[mikey_dragon]

Cue guffawing:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15155406.Dragons_sign_Gavin_Henson__Former_Wales_and_Lions_playmaker_heading_for_Rodney_Parade/

How many games do you think you will get out of him next season?

As many as we got from Lee Byrne I bet. Thankfully we're covered at centre, but not at fly-half which is where I think he should play for us.

Crosswell probably on his way out so we can sign one of the worst Sprinkboks ever in a position where we are okay. That's three saffa's in the back 3 so I wonder where that leaves Hewitt and Amos. I like Crosswell (on the flank) as he's an in-your-face/abrasive player. Him and Ian Evans (still rumoured right?) in the same pack would have been a lot more effective than what we have now.

[Stone Motif]

I'm happy with that signing. He looked very comfortable in the English premiership with Bristol, when fit. Didn't look out of his depth for a 35 year old so I think that bodes well for the Pro12.

Yeah this. Watched him v Bath and his pace has gone but still makes up for it with his reading of the game which has always bought him that extra second.

[mikey_dragon]

I'm happy with that signing. He looked very comfortable in the English premiership with Bristol, when fit. Didn't look out of his depth for a 35 year old so I think that bodes well for the Pro12.

Yeah this. Watched him v Bath and his pace has gone but still makes up for it with his reading of the game which has always bought him that extra second.

Would like to see this rub off on Warren, Dixon and Morgan. Our former U20 midfield has been quite underwhelming this year.

We've currently got a TH in the U20s and apparently he's huge. Anyone know much about anyone/him?

[Cardiff Dave]

Would just like to say, good luck to FoNR.

[Stone Motif]

I'm happy with that signing. He looked very comfortable in the English premiership with Bristol, when fit. Didn't look out of his depth for a 35 year old so I think that bodes well for the Pro12.

Yeah this. Watched him v Bath and his pace has gone but still makes up for it with his reading of the game which has always bought him that extra second.

Would like to see this rub off on Warren, Dixon and Morgan. Our former U20 midfield has been quite underwhelming this year.

We've currently got a TH in the U20s and apparently he's huge. Anyone know much about anyone/him?

I don't think you can coach this kind of game awareness. Best we can do is hope our backs coach(?) can encourage people to occasionally run a line off him.

The TH is Chris Coleman isn't it? Don't know much about him other than he's already a rich seam of sh1te punditry jokes already.

[Cardiff Dave]

Cue guffawing:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15155406.Dragons_sign_Gavin_Henson__Former_Wales_and_Lions_playmaker_heading_for_Rodney_Parade/

NDC?

[Cardiff Dave]

Mmmm....

"The assurance I can give Newport RFC we have been protecting their interests."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39274402

[munkian]

Apparently 75% of the NRFC board have voted yes.

[GavinDragon]

But it is the shareholder vote which is the end game. 1000 shareholders each with one vote. They can scupper the deal and, on these terms, I can't say I'd blame them if they did.

[Guest]

Reading between the lines of what Hazell has said, if they (shareholders) scupper the deal then I think both the Dragons and Newport RFC go under. Hazell made it sound like unless the WRU takes over then the unthinkable will happen and they (Newport board) will cut their losses and walk.

[Cardiff Dave]

So have the "interests" of Newport RFC been well protected over the years then?

[Cardiff Dave]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

[Guest]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

I don't. Our major backers (Hazell and Brown) are becoming old men. Both 80, or thereabouts. They've had enough and can do without the hassle. They've got a lot invested and are happy to write off the debts owed to them, but I guess with one eye on their futures they probably think they might do better to keep the money for the family rather than plough more into the rugby.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?! Personally I think one of two things will happen:

1. The WRU and the Dragons board are able to strike a deal where the WRU takes over full time and rugby remains at RP on some sort of lease, as per the wishes of Hazell and Brown. The WRU can make it what they want then - e.g. full on development region, old stalwart region, training shop for young welsh coaches, whatever. After 10 years if the venture has been a success then perhaps it will staty. Otherwise it they'll relocate.
Or,
2. They won't be able to come to an agreement, there'll be a load of hot air about how they tried to reach agreement, 'conflict with interested parties', 'challenges too big to overcome', and the Dragons will cease to exist as of next season and a new 4th entity will be created elsewhere, e.g. North Wales, fully funded by the WRU. The fact that the WRU is considering fully funding the Dragons tells me they'll be happy to do it elsewhere too, and a major hurdle to any region setting up (and one of the arguments against a valleys region) is who will fund it? Previously, you would need some sugar daddies and they are few and far between in Wales. But if the WRU fully fund it then anywhere is potentially a location for the new region.

[Cardiff Dave]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?!  Personally I think one of two things will happen:

Don't be daft mun. I meant all the BS spouted concerning the shift to CCS. Even towards the very end it was stated that the bloos were there to stay and wouldn't move back to old, tired and falling down CAP. Then they moved back to CAP.

[Guest]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?!  Personally I think one of two things will happen:

Don't be daft mun. I meant all the BS spouted concerning the shift to CCS. Even towards the very end it was stated that the bloos were there to stay and wouldn't move back to old, tired and falling down CAP. Then they moved back to CAP.

Oh I see. Not sure then. I think it's all or nothing - either the WRU buy us and fund us or it's goodnight Dragons and a new entity will be funded by the WRU elsewhere. I can't see anything fishy this time personally.

[Cardiff Dave]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?!  Personally I think one of two things will happen:

Don't be daft mun. I meant all the BS spouted concerning the shift to CCS. Even towards the very end it was stated that the bloos were there to stay and wouldn't move back to old, tired and falling down CAP. Then they moved back to CAP.

Oh I see.  Not sure then.  I think it's all or nothing - either the WRU buy us and fund us or it's goodnight Dragons and a new entity will be funded by the WRU elsewhere.  I can't see anything fishy this time personally.

Maybe there's a third way? Dunno.
Also, can't make an informed decision without all of the facts in any case.

[munkian]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?!  Personally I think one of two things will happen:

Don't be daft mun. I meant all the BS spouted concerning the shift to CCS. Even towards the very end it was stated that the bloos were there to stay and wouldn't move back to old, tired and falling down CAP. Then they moved back to CAP.

Who paid out for their move back again ?

[Cardiff Dave]

I smell a fish.
Can't put my finger on it.
A kind of CCS type of fishy.

You think someone has a CCS style stadium up their sleeve somewhere in Gwent?!  Personally I think one of two things will happen:

Don't be daft mun. I meant all the BS spouted concerning the shift to CCS. Even towards the very end it was stated that the bloos were there to stay and wouldn't move back to old, tired and falling down CAP. Then they moved back to CAP.

Who paid out for their move back again ?

The club ended up paying, I guess.

[Cardiff Dave]

Anyway, back to the Drags. Situation "perilous" apparently.

[Guest]

Anyway, back to the Drags. Situation "perilous" apparently.

Yes I think so. It wouldn't be the first time that backers have been economical with the truth to try to speed up the process - e.g. "We're doomed unless we get investment ASAP" - but on this occasion, and listening/reading the interviews with Hazell, I think the board are genuinely saying that they are going to walk in the near future therefore either someone takes over (i.e. the WRU) or the Dragons will fold. I don't see it as a sort of threat from the board either. I think they're genuinely saying that the WRU takeover is the only possibility as there are no other investors interested and they'll be walking away. I guess it then comes down to the WRU to decide - do we want to fund the Dragons and pro rugby in Gwent or do we start something new elsewhere. I can see why they might be tempted with the latter.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't think the WRU can take over the Dragons and just shut them down and move a region to north Wales. I think they're obliged to give the New WRU Dragons a fair crack of the whip, if only so they can say, 'look, we did all we could' if the Dragons are still slumming it at the bottom of the league in 5 - 10 years' time.

[LordDowlais]

I don't think the WRU can take over the Dragons and just shut them down

That is exactly what happened to the Celtic Warriors. I hope it does not happen to Dragons, I really do not. But they cannot give the region another 5-10 years slumming it at the bottom as you put it either.

If the WRU do want to make a fist of things in Newport, which I think they would want to do, then they need to show more ambition than the people who are there now. First things first, they need to get a decent coaching team in there, as I do not think the core of this team is all that bad, also there are a few good youngsters coming through, they need to tie these kids down on long term contracts so nobody else will poach them.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't think the WRU can take over the Dragons and just shut them down

That is exactly what happened to the Celtic Warriors.

Well it's not, is it. They didn't replace the Celtic Warriors.

[Cardiff Dave]

Anyway, back to the Drags. Situation "perilous" apparently.

Yes I think so.  It wouldn't be the first time that backers have been economical with the truth to try to speed up the process - e.g. "We're doomed unless we get investment ASAP" - but on this occasion, and listening/reading the interviews with Hazell, I think the board are genuinely saying that they are going to walk in the near future therefore either someone takes over (i.e. the WRU) or the Dragons will fold.  I don't see it as a sort of threat from the board either.  I think they're genuinely saying that the WRU takeover is the only possibility as there are no other investors interested and they'll be walking away.  I guess it then comes down to the WRU to decide - do we want to fund the Dragons and pro rugby in Gwent or do we start something new elsewhere.  I can see why they might be tempted with the latter.

No WMDs in the clubhouse, is there?

[Guest]

I don't think the WRU can take over the Dragons and just shut them down and move a region to north Wales. I think they're obliged to give the New WRU Dragons a fair crack of the whip, if only so they can say, 'look, we did all we could' if the Dragons are still slumming it at the bottom of the league in 5 - 10 years' time.

Yeah, I agree. I think it's either/or. Either they take over and then run the Dragons franchise on a lease for, say, 10 years and decide what to do at the end. Which is what Hazell or Stu seem to be alluding to in their interviews when they talk about "guaranteeing rugby at RPO for the next 10 yrs". Or, they decide they won't invest in the Dragons so it inevitably folds as Hazell says they can't go on and they invest elsewhere. I don't think they'll take over to immediately shut down.

[munkian]

I don't see why they'd move it to North Wales who barely scrape a crowd together and have little interest in rugby compared to football.

There is scope for a successful region in Gwent it just needs to be run correctly.

[mikey_dragon]

If not in Gwent then why don't we move it to Merthyr?

[munkian]

If not in Gwent then why don't we move it to Merthyr?

I know the Dragon's pitch is dodgy at least it isn't covered in needles.

[mikey_dragon]

If not in Gwent then why don't we move it to Merthyr?

I know the Dragon's pitch is dodgy at least it isn't covered in needles.

My god you're absolutely right... WTF was I thinking!

[Kingshu]

Do Dragons or Newport RFC own RP?

I actually think Dragons have a lot of potential, they average 4,550 which is good considering where they are in the table and its been like that for a number of years. If they had a season where they were challenging for the playoffs like Scarlets, I'm sure the average would be better that Scarlets 6,632

4,550 is a very solid base to build a team up from.

I do hope they ditch the Newport Gwent part of the name, its silly having the town and then area.
It like having Dumbarton Glasgow Warriors.
I do understand the objection to losing the Newport part, but Gwent Dragons or just the Dragons does sound better.

[munkian]

Do Dragons or Newport RFC own RP?

I actually think Dragons have a lot of potential, they average 4,550 which is good considering where they are in the table and its been like that for a number of years. If they had a season where they were challenging for the playoffs like Scarlets, I'm sure the average would be better that Scarlets 6,632

4,550 is a very solid base to build a team up from.

I do hope they ditch the Newport Gwent part of the name, its silly having the town and then area.
It like having Dumbarton Glasgow Warriors.
I do understand the objection to losing the Newport part, but Gwent Dragons or just the Dragons does sound better.

Newport RFC.

Problem with just 'Dragons' is that is a very generic name, especially in Wales - plus the Scarlets have a Dragon as their symbol too.

[Kingshu]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

[Steffan]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

[mikey_dragon]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

That's basically our away kit.

[GavinDragon]

Do Dragons or Newport RFC own RP?

I actually think Dragons have a lot of potential, they average 4,550 which is good considering where they are in the table and its been like that for a number of years. If they had a season where they were challenging for the playoffs like Scarlets, I'm sure the average would be better that Scarlets 6,632

4,550 is a very solid base to build a team up from.

I do hope they ditch the Newport Gwent part of the name, its silly having the town and then area.
It like having Dumbarton Glasgow Warriors.
I do understand the objection to losing the Newport part, but Gwent Dragons or just the Dragons does sound better.

THIS.

And the fact that Newport along is the third most populous area in Wales (or 4th) and the fact that Gwent has 500k and 73 clubs is the reason the region won't be moved north

[GavinDragon]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

I would go for a name that reflected the industry thank links the entire region. Gwent Steelers would be my preference.

[mikey_dragon]

Do Dragons or Newport RFC own RP?

I actually think Dragons have a lot of potential, they average 4,550 which is good considering where they are in the table and its been like that for a number of years. If they had a season where they were challenging for the playoffs like Scarlets, I'm sure the average would be better that Scarlets 6,632

4,550 is a very solid base to build a team up from.

I do hope they ditch the Newport Gwent part of the name, its silly having the town and then area.
It like having Dumbarton Glasgow Warriors.
I do understand the objection to losing the Newport part, but Gwent Dragons or just the Dragons does sound better.

THIS.

And the fact that Newport along is the third most populous area in Wales (or 4th) and the fact that Gwent has 500k and 73 clubs is the reason the region won't be moved north to Merthyr

Adjusted that for you.

[Guest]

Surely just calling themselves 'Gwent' would be a easy and unified (and marketable) thing to do?

I've been calling for this for years. Agree with the previous post that 'Dragons' on its own is too vague. A place name in sport means a lot and avoids confusing with the likes of Catalan Dragons and (I think) Wrexham football.

[Guest]

Maybe rebrand to the Zilants

or play in Blue and Black like the coat of arms for Gwent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_heraldry#/media/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Gwent.svg

a nice shade of blue like maybe Cambridge Blue and black?

Yeah, as others have said that's what we've already done for an away kit. It's actually my favourite Dragons kit. Apart from the 'Rasta' coloured jersey we had around 2005. That was my fave. Still got one somewhere.

[GavinDragon]

I have read on WoL Mike Ruddock saying that the reasons are manufactured compared to the Irish provinces which were geographically formed.

But Gwent is in the same boat in that regard.

It has an ancient history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Gwent

A more modern history - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwent_(county)

And a rugby history - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPKMDv0-3BE

Not to mention it is georgraphically bigger than any one of it's constituent clubs and it's whole player development pathway is about being the best in the area to go on and represent it. I don't understand why one wouldn't build on it?

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