Dragons Season Thread - 2018/19 - aka Year 2 of the 3 Year Plan

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

So we made it to the end of the 2017/18 season.  We've seen/endured the first year of Bernard Jackman's plan.  I think most of us have been through a rollercoaster of emotions, similar to previous seasons but perhaps even more so this season given the new injection of life and investment into the Dragons.  First there was the hope - the new coaches, some new players, the new pitch, new chairman, new cash injection.  Then we started to stumble - it's all down to the new coach and getting used to the new systems, we said.  Then came the face plant and the realisation that this trend was going to carry on for the whole season - a couple of wins in the league, a few in Europe, a lot of spankings, not many losing bonus points.  Very poor return.  The hope turned to despair and BJ's methods were being questioned.  Then the hope comes again with the announcement of new signings ('stellar' signings, compared to previous years!) and the assurance that the 1st year of the plan was always going to be difficult and that year 2 would be the one to judge BJ on.....  

So.......on to year 2 (2018/19).  Where are we?  What are our expectations (realistically)?  What's the best team we can put out on paper and how competitive will it be?  For a number of years we've been stuffed in the league so seem to try to get some solace from a decent showing in the Euro 2nd tier comp.  However, should we forget about Europe and try to put all of our focus on the league?  I think so.

Transfers - we've lost more than we've gained, although the quality of the transfers in could/should be better than those leaving.  But I'm worried we'll be thin on the ground when the inevitable injuries hit.

Players In: = 14
Jordan Williams from England Bristol Bears
Rhodri Williams from England Bristol Bears
Ross Moriarty from England Gloucester
Rhodri Davies from England Rotherham Titans
Richard Hibbard from England Gloucester
Huw Taylor from England Worcester Warriors
Josh Lewis from England Bath
Ryan Bevington from England Bristol Bears
Aaron Jarvis from France Clermont
Dafydd Howells from Wales Ospreys
Tiaan Loots from Wales RGC 1404
Jacob Botica from Wales RGC 1404
Rhys Lawrence from England Ealing Trailfinders
Brandon Nansen from France

Players Out: - =21
Sarel Pretorius to South Africa Southern Kings
Phil Price to Wales Scarlets
Scott Andrews to Wales Neath
Luke Garrett to Wales Neath
Adam Hughes retired
Pat Howard to England Ealing Trailfinders
Rhys Buckley to Wales Bargoed
Barney Nightingale to Wales Bargoed
Keagan Bale to Wales Bargoed
Angus O'Brien to Wales Scarlets
Nicky Thomas to Wales Scarlets (return from short-term loan)
Dorian Jones to France Angoulême
Charlie Davies to England Northampton Saints
Lloyd Lewis to Wales Pontypool
Sam Beard to New Zealand Canterbury
Sam Hobbs released
Thomas Davies released
Liam Belcher released
Ashley Sweet released
Robson Blake released
Carl Meyer released

I'll try to update the Ins and Outs as we go.

[Guest]

I dread to think what Northampton will do to them (Timisoara that is. And to us, come to think of it).

Northampton may rightly have one eye on the league. They're ripe for a Bernie O sucker punch.

Yeah, my comment was before I saw what Clermont did to them in Northampton. Even if they are not up for it they’ll still be tough but agree we might be able to give them a game and maybe even pull of a win.

Clermont - now that’s going to be a toughie for us

[Stone Motif]

Angus O'Brien shat the bed as well just ton deliver the coup de grace on my predictions. Shame, obviously let the occasion get to him.

[Brendan]

I dread to think what Northampton will do to them (Timisoara that is. And to us, come to think of it).

Northampton may rightly have one eye on the league. They're ripe for a Bernie O sucker punch.

Judging by Saimts result, Dragons might do fine next week

[mikey_dragon]

Angus O'Brien shat the bed as well just ton deliver the coup de grace on my predictions. Shame, obviously let the occasion get to him.

I had a feeling the subject would come up. So he is still sh!t then, along with Phil Price. Some of you are clueless (Stone especially) thinking that they're amazing when they get picked to play a game for Scarlets, when we seen first hand that they both struggled at this level for a number of seasons. Really don't understand your way of thinking .

[mikey_dragon]

It is madness. Hope he plays well today. I have seen a few Scarlets’ supporters saying they’re happy with him, thus far though.

They tend to be happy with anyone who pulls on their jersey, even when it's Aled Davies or Tavis Knoyle. I'd take them lot with a pinch of salt if I were you. I still find the Turk fans to be quite dim and ungracious - at least online anyway.

[mikey_dragon]

I think the one thing that struck me in the game was when Ross was losing his rag, chatting at the ref and not listening to him...where was the captain?  Shouldn't he be there, telling him to shut up etc and basically remind him he's the captain and he needs to be calm.  Cory just stood there and watched.  Thought that was a bit odd.

Dragons were good first 20 then it just fell off, think CB held possession better and that tested the Dragons defensive patterns.  Once Anscombe went full back and Jarrod came on, they looked too much for them.  Good derby though, looking forward to the next one.

In which case Moriarty should be captain as that might help fire some players up.

Anscombe playing well lately but Evans still seemingly the best fly-half. Surprised Morgan isn’t bumped out of the time yet when you have those options. I’d put MM on the bench as fly-half cover - the flankers should be able to babysit him in that channel.

Evans has never been the best fly half.

Apart from last season and this season thus far. You really are a bit dim, Phil. Remember the time you told me Priestland was amazing because Bath bought him? #clueless

[Stone Motif]

Why doesn't the app hide what this toilet has to say? I don't mind him Dowellaising up the place when I can't see it, bit like when I shut the car door after strapping in the kids. I said ignore god dammit.

[PhilBB]

Apart from last season and this season thus far. You really are a bit dim, Phil. Remember the time you told me Priestland was amazing because Bath bought him? #clueless

WTF? Jarrod Evans is a better 10 than Anscombe?

And you call me dim?

Amazing, fair play.

Still, if you don't understand Rhys Priestland then I can see the source of your confusion.

[RiscaGame]

Have you seen that the Dragons training shirts are more expensive than the playing shirts? That’s a little unfortunate. They may have sold well otherwise.

I now expect us to win Friday, with Saints as good as disinterested. Before that, I thought we might’ve been lucky to get 9 points from the group (as I didn’t really expect us to get a BP away in Romania either). I guess it depends on how we load up for it too.

[Stone Motif]

Have you seen that the Dragons training shirts are more expensive than the playing shirts? That’s a little unfortunate. They may have sold well otherwise.

I now expect us to win Friday, with Saints as good as disinterested. Before that, I thought we might’ve been lucky to get 9 points from the group (as I didn’t really expect us to get a BP away in Romania either). I guess it depends on how we load up for it too.

We can't go into the game expecting to win. It wrecks up before a ball is kicked, we can't handle it psychologically.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Have you seen that the Dragons training shirts are more expensive than the playing shirts? That’s a little unfortunate. They may have sold well otherwise.

I now expect us to win Friday, with Saints as good as disinterested. Before that, I thought we might’ve been lucky to get 9 points from the group (as I didn’t really expect us to get a BP away in Romania either). I guess it depends on how we load up for it too.

I'm not sure about that. They've only won two out of six games in the Premiership, so they might look at this game as an opportunity to get a win in the hope they can build on it. I suppose we'll know when they name their team.

I've had a look and they play Wasps next in the league. It's a question of whether they write this weekend's game off to focus on that, or try to go into the Wasps game on the back of a win.

Of course, there's a chance they'll go into it on the back of a win regardless of the side they put out against us.

[RiscaGame]

No, we aren’t good favourites for sure

Fair enough, I haven’t looked that in depth into it yet. Just a feeling in my bones

[Guest]

How strong was the team they put out against us in pre-season? From memory I don't think it was their first team, or many of them? And they stuffed us. So, as LP alludes to, even a weakened team has good chance of doing well against us Saying that, it wasn't our strongest team either, especially in the backs.

[mikey_dragon]

Apart from last season and this season thus far. You really are a bit dim, Phil. Remember the time you told me Priestland was amazing because Bath bought him? #clueless

WTF? Jarrod Evans is a better 10 than Anscombe?

And you call me dim?

Amazing, fair play.

Still, if you don't understand Rhys Priestland then I can see the source of your confusion.

Yes Jarrod the better 10. We know people in Cardiff can't spot a good fly-half. I remember you all saying Patchell was probably a 12 before you let him go, oh wow.

The way AOB played on Saturday is how Priestland would regularly play. Signing for Bath makes him amazing? You're the one who seems to be confused.

[PhilBB]

Yes Jarrod the better 10.

Rightio.

[munkian]

Dragons have just posted a picture of Tovey training with them. Always thought he had potential.

[RiscaGame]

Ha.

Watch this space.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

We could do a lot worse at the moment! Would he want to come back though? It wasn't handled very well when we let him go.

[RiscaGame]

Yeah, he is keen.

Be good to have him for our league games. It’s a huge burden on Lewis and the other options at the moment.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Very interesting!

[RiscaGame]

He told me before the Cardiff game he was meeting Jackman. It was killing me keeping it quiet. I think it’s pretty good they are treating it as a week by week thing publicly too, even if it isn’t the case (and I don’t know if it is or not).

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I suppose it's a very different setup now that when he left, so that's going to help. And for his goalkicking alone it would be a good move for us.

[RiscaGame]

That’s the biggest thing he should have over the others really. Have to see what happens in the next league game. Tough start for him really, with games away to Ulster then Connacht, if it happens.

[munkian]

He did a very interesting interview on the Blood and Mud podcast, will be good to see how he progresses.

[Guest]

I was never the biggest fan of Tovey, but that was because I was always comparing him to star players and wanted us to sign a big name in that position. Always felt he was a bit inconsistent but then he wasn't Dan Carter so it was probably unfair of me to expect those sort of standards. But I'd be happy to have him back as he's probably been the best 10 at RP over the last 10 years or so. A bit of a back handed compliment from me, but Tovey - it would be good to have you back.

What happened at Edinburgh anyway? Seem to remember Edinburgh fans being happy pretty happy with him to start with and being a fit confused as to why we (being where we were in the league) let him go. Was it the new coach (Cockerill) and not fitting into his plans?

[RiscaGame]

Don’t think Cockerill was his biggest fan. That said, he canned Weir too so I wouldn’t take it as too much of a negative, as no neck isn’t a bad club level ten either.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Plus their current outside half is a former Baby Black.

[RiscaGame]

Good point.

[Stone Motif]

Josh Lewis looks a better athlete but is trying too hard, Arwel Robson talented but too young. Good move all round. Wonder if this means the end of Gavin Henson?

[mikey_dragon]

Wouldn't mind seeing Henson play elsewhere if he's ever not injured, either at 12 or 15. Is Henson ever not injured? Regardless we need some experience at fly-half and whilst Tovey has that i'm not sure he consistently has the mettle.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Dragons: J Williams, Z Kirchner, T Morgan, J Sage, J Rosser, J Lewis, R Williams, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, L Evans, C Hill (captain), A Wainwright, O Griffiths, R Moriarty. Replacements: R Hibbard, A Jarvis, L Fairbrother, M Screech, H Taylor, R Davies, A Warren, W Talbot-Davies.


Northampton: A Tuala, T Collins, A Kellaway, P Francis, T Naiyaravoro, D Biggar, A Mitchell, A Waller (captain), M Haywood, B Franks, D Ribbans, C Lawes, J Gibson, T Wood, T Harrison. Replacements: J Fish, F Van Wyk, E Painter, D Barrow, L Ludlam, C Reinach, J Grayson, L Burrell.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16991824.team-news-evans-continues-at-lock-for-dragons-clash-with-saints/

[Stone Motif]

Dragons: J Williams, Z Kirchner, T Morgan, J Sage, J Rosser, J Lewis, R Williams, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, L Evans, C Hill (captain), A Wainwright, O Griffiths, R Moriarty. Replacements: R Hibbard, A Jarvis, L Fairbrother, M Screech, H Taylor, R Davies, A Warren, W Talbot-Davies.


Northampton: A Tuala, T Collins, A Kellaway, P Francis, T Naiyaravoro, D Biggar, A Mitchell, A Waller (captain), M Haywood, B Franks, D Ribbans, C Lawes, J Gibson, T Wood, T Harrison. Replacements: J Fish, F Van Wyk, E Painter, D Barrow, L Ludlam, C Reinach, J Grayson, L Burrell.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16991824.team-news-evans-continues-at-lock-for-dragons-clash-with-saints/

WTF I mean I've got time for Lewis Evans but what is this 'well it worked via a bunch of Romanian semi pros, let's give it a whirl against Northampton' rubbish?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Landman's gone missing too.

[RiscaGame]

This is a bit similar to Zane at ten, as he played well one game in a Mickey Mouse game. Slightly less disastrous possibly, but it still doesn’t make sense.

Also, Zane on the wing doesn’t really do much for me.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's not as if Adam Warren hasn't acquitted himself well there.

[Stone Motif]

This is a bit similar to Zane at ten, as he played well one game in a Mickey Mouse game. Slightly less disastrous possibly, but it still doesn’t make sense.

Also, Zane on the wing doesn’t really do much for me.

Yeah this.

[Stone Motif]

It's not as if Adam Warren hasn't acquitted himself well there.

Probably faster than Zane these days as well

[PhilBB]

Lawes and Wood will wind up Moriarty and vice versa.

I wonder which of the three is favourite for the first card?

[RiscaGame]

I kind of understand Warren maybe being rested. He has a heavy workload coming up too. That said I’m sure there might’ve been a better game to have rested him. Was there a game recently where it might’ve been better to do that? I can’t think of one

[Luckless Pedestrian]

[Guest]

According to the BBC Cory Hill made his senior debut against Australia when he was 14!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45876352

[mikey_dragon]

Saints look very close to full strength. I’d be surprised if they left Newport without a TBP win.

[Stone Motif]

Landman's gone missing too.

Oh no, there he is, p2ssing about in the Prem again.

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16992865.dragons-lock-landman-back-with-newport-for-ravens-clash/

[RiscaGame]

Jackman is so clueless, it's unreal. There always has to be something random about his selections every week.

There is no justification for it. We aren't trying to run around a team that are going to be as conditioned, if not better conditioned than us (I hope). If the rumour is true that Jackman thinks Landman concedes too many penalties, then picking Lewis Evans over him isn't a solution to being more disciplined. I can't work it out. The bit Marnitz said in the press about him calling the lineouts last week and enjoying it and playing well in Romania, isn't really justification for picking him against a side like Saints either.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The only good thing about it is that Landman hasn't sulked about it. Screech ahead of him on the bench is just as daft. All I've seen Screech do this season is knock on.

[Guest]

This has disaster written all over it.

[Guest]

A snippet from our defence coach on Gatland coming to do some coaching sessions at the Dragons:

"I have been in different environments when we have had the privilege of getting experts in. Gats was really good, we had loads of one-on-ones and we had some good cups of coffee together". No, Hendre, YOU are meant to be the expert!

[Stone Motif]

The only good thing about it is that Landman hasn't sulked about it. Screech ahead of him on the bench is just as daft. All I've seen Screech do this season is knock on.

He's done well as a line out forward to be fair - which makes further mockery of the Lewis Evans - closet line out maestro narrative from the O'Bullsh1tron

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm glad we've got a good referee for this. I'm surprised Raynal's not doing a Champions Cup match.

[RiscaGame]

Yeah, that is good. The RR Terrace might not need the cheat chants tonight

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