Dragons Season Thread - 2019/20 aka Year 1 of the new 5 Year Plan

by Stone Motif Sun 30 Dec 2018, 11:19 pm

First topic message reminder :

RiscaGame wrote:A good win for Dragons. Wonder if George North might get banned this week for more shethousery. Guy is turning into a dirty get down there.

Wasn’t too convinced by the subs we made, but they turned out to be wise choices. That includes Tovey steadying the ship and kicking the winner and surprisingly Suter being solid in the scrum.

It's an amazing win given the Ospreys dominance. If they'd have made the right calls our luck would have run out I think.

by Stone Motif Thu 11 Apr 2019, 7:18 pm

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/17567708.hew-beauty-winger-ashton-hewitt-signs-new-dragons-contract/

Tidy

by **RiscaGame** Fri 12 Apr 2019, 4:13 am

Best re-signing we could’ve hoped for.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 12 Apr 2019, 4:14 am

Bar Tovey, obvs!!! Wink

by Stone Motif Fri 12 Apr 2019, 7:29 am

RiscaGame wrote:Best re-signing we could’ve hoped for.

Someone was so happy they torched The Cent in celebration.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 12 Apr 2019, 11:15 am

Really happy about Hewitt. He's been out so long that it's easy to forget how dangerous he is.

Apparently Wales Online are reporting Graham Rowntree is being appointed to take over from Ceri Jones, but I haven't heard anything from a reputable source.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 12 Apr 2019, 2:53 pm

I did hear that. I guess no smoke without fire, but it's a bit out of the blue.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 12 Apr 2019, 3:27 pm

As long as he brings a defence coach with him, I don't mind.

by Stone Motif Fri 12 Apr 2019, 4:24 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Best re-signing we could’ve hoped for.

Any one know how long Wainwright's deal is for? Found this from last year but no mention of whether it's two or three years:

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/16080434.rising-star-wainwright-earns-first-senior-dragons-deal/

by mikey_dragon Fri 12 Apr 2019, 7:10 pm

Rowntree is currently with Georgia Rugby, perhaps he could bring along a forward or two, those guys are monsters. I think another sensible option for us would be to move in and snap up David Bulbring from Scarlets. He’s WQ, very consistent, and should be available all year. There’s Will Boyde too but we’d only need him if Basham moves on. I read the Basham rumour from WOL by the way, so maybe take it with a pinch of salt.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 12 Apr 2019, 7:53 pm

Not a clue Stone. He must be getting a new contract anyway, with the banding schiz coming in?

by Stone Motif Fri 12 Apr 2019, 8:22 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Not a clue Stone. He must be getting a new contract anyway, with the banding schiz coming in?

Dunno if a contract can be ripped up like that you'd have to wait til it expires wouldn't you? Worrying if he's still on a baby contract others will come in for him, he's his generation's Faletau going to be a monster of a player

by **RiscaGame** Sat 13 Apr 2019, 7:03 pm

Yes he is going to be incredible. I thought we had renewed others early before.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 13 Apr 2019, 11:42 pm

A shortlist of three for our head coach role, apparently. Rowntree, Ceri Jones or the Saffa at Jersey. if we are getting the "World Class" coach Butthead promised, I guess it's Rowntree as he has a bit of pedigree (albeit not head coach) and Jersey's coach has another two years on his contract (and I suspect Butthead wouldn't buy him out.).

Chasing a game and not changing your ten until 86. Madness. Ceri Jones can't be considered a serious option.

by Stone Motif Sat 13 Apr 2019, 11:53 pm

RiscaGame wrote:A shortlist of three for our head coach role, apparently. Rowntree, Ceri Jones or the Saffa at Jersey. if we are getting the "World Class" coach Butthead promised, I guess it's Rowntree as he has a bit of pedigree (albeit not head coach) and Jersey's coach has another two years on his contract (and I suspect Butthead wouldn't buy him out.).

Chasing a game and not changing your ten until 86. Madness. Ceri Jones can't be considered a serious option.

From the live feed it sounded like he f6cked up the acclimatisation big time too, though it's not like Fair brother et al don't get skinned on the inside at low altitude either

by mikey_dragon Sun 14 Apr 2019, 4:47 am

Rowntree is the best on the list obviously. Ceri would revert back to forwards coach though I guess? Forwards is where Rowntree specialized so we could be okay there. I hope he knows a good defence and backs coach.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 14 Apr 2019, 10:53 am

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:A shortlist of three for our head coach role, apparently. Rowntree, Ceri Jones or the Saffa at Jersey. if we are getting the "World Class" coach Butthead promised, I guess it's Rowntree as he has a bit of pedigree (albeit not head coach) and Jersey's coach has another two years on his contract (and I suspect Butthead wouldn't buy him out.).

Chasing a game and not changing your ten until 86. Madness. Ceri Jones can't be considered a serious option.
From the live feed it sounded like he f6cked up the acclimatisation big time too, though it's not like Fair brother et al don't get skinned on the inside at low altitude either

Yeah, they went in really late. I know some teams do that, but it would make it more agreeable if they weren’t acting like tourists for me.

by VinceWLB Sun 14 Apr 2019, 11:43 am

Watched the game, thought Dragons played with a lot of energy for most of the game, at least more than a lot of sides i have seen traveling there since pro 14 started. Not sure what happened in the last 10 minutes but i would say the scoreline is more a reflection of the difference between the 2 teams rather than a difference in conditioning.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 15 Apr 2019, 10:23 am

RiscaGame wrote:
Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:A shortlist of three for our head coach role, apparently. Rowntree, Ceri Jones or the Saffa at Jersey. if we are getting the "World Class" coach Butthead promised, I guess it's Rowntree as he has a bit of pedigree (albeit not head coach) and Jersey's coach has another two years on his contract (and I suspect Butthead wouldn't buy him out.).

Chasing a game and not changing your ten until 86. Madness. Ceri Jones can't be considered a serious option.
From the live feed it sounded like he f6cked up the acclimatisation big time too, though it's not like Fair brother et al don't get skinned on the inside at low altitude either

Yeah, they went in really late. I know some teams do that, but it would make it more agreeable if they weren’t acting like tourists for me.

Yeah all that whale watching doesn't look great in retrospect.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 15 Apr 2019, 7:50 pm

It’s just the usual nonsense that we get after a game, that grinds my gears. Then when you see pics like that, you’d have to question whether they really are working hard to put things right.

by Stone Motif Mon 15 Apr 2019, 9:29 pm

RiscaGame wrote:It’s just the usual nonsense that we get after a game, that grinds my gears. Then when you see pics like that, you’d have to question whether they really are working hard to put things right.

It's the perrenial Dragons problem. Our front line players are the scrapings of the barrel (pun intended Lloyd) as athletes unless they're a particularly blessed youngster (I.e.inexperienced). They can work as hard as they like on that and never catch up.

Breeding top pros is about identifying athletes and teaching them rugby, too many of ours are OK players trying to be athletes, to put it another way.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 15 Apr 2019, 10:30 pm

Fair point. Maybe I would have more patience if they came out and said, we know we are bad, but we try Wink

by Stone Motif Mon 15 Apr 2019, 11:47 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Fair point. Maybe I would have more patience if they came out and said, we know we are bad, but we try

No you're right, there's no excuse for not trying, just a thought that struck me seeing a pic of the team in a huddle in one of the write ups and seeing Lewis Evans towering over everyone in the shot. They're decent players but undersized and underpowered.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 16 Apr 2019, 8:14 am

That does say it all then. To be fair, I went down to RP on Sunday and saw that Nansen pic with Babos (the height thing) and I thought then that if Nansen is our biggest player, then it doesn't say much as he's not all that tall really (6'5).

by **RiscaGame** Tue 16 Apr 2019, 3:05 pm

https://www.dragonsrugby.wales/news/2019/april/chapron-appointed-general-manager-rugby.html

Big promotion this really, from Academy to all Dragons matters. I wonder who is running our defence now Laugh

by mikey_dragon Tue 16 Apr 2019, 6:32 pm

6'5 is really tall, but probably not for a lock forward where the shorter ones seem to be 6'6, whilst the South African locks are 6'10. If we have a stable front row than our back 5 should be able to dictate a fast and open game, that's if our S&C improves.

On Nansen, from what I've seen he's a good solid player capable of playing lock and blindside; but the guys down in NZ must have thought he wasn't big enough for lock forward either and would often have him at 6.
Also, wiki has Nansen down as 6'6...

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Apr 2019, 10:23 pm

Rob Howley was one of the latest rumours I read...

by Stone Motif Thu 25 Apr 2019, 9:30 pm

Rosser and Knoyle reveal similar masochistic tendencies es to Hewitt, Warren, Evans and Screech.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 26 Apr 2019, 12:02 am

Ha. Not bad re-signings. I guess we are keen to tie Rosser down, as there are other players who need re-signing more urgently that are out of contract this summer. Whilst I’m sure we are all over it, I would rather us announce those before players whose contract ends next summer. Ah well, in Buttress we trust and all that good stuff.

by Stone Motif Fri 26 Apr 2019, 9:01 am

RiscaGame wrote:Ha. Not bad re-signings. I guess we are keen to tie Rosser down, as there are other players who need re-signing more urgently that are out of contract this summer. Whilst I’m sure we are all over it, I would rather us announce those before players whose contract ends next summer. Ah well, in Buttress we trust and all that good stuff.

I know what you mean, got a lot of time for Rosser and he seems to have a high athletic ceiling. Him and Hewitt are a good regional pairing but wingers aren't a priority.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 26 Apr 2019, 11:28 am

That’s it really. Nothing against Rosser at all, as he’s a player we do need.

by mikey_dragon Fri 26 Apr 2019, 8:28 pm

You've gotta love the amateur write-ups from WOL. One of their reporters asks Allen Clarke if he'd want Moriarty if he was available (which he isn't) - so now they're officially looking to buy him out Rolling Eyes

. We've got good back-row and back 3 options but that front 5 still needs addressing, like always. I would suggest that we make a move for Bulbring before Cardiff does, as he's a decent lock and one that should be affordable. As far as I know nobody is preparing to offer him a contract.

by Stone Motif Sun 28 Apr 2019, 12:22 am

Well, that was unexpected.

Wainwright a monster again. Screech showed up we'll and a notable effort from Lewis Evans. Couple of players starting to hit some form, Rhodri, Josh Lewis and Jack Dixon staring to show promise in the midfield in particular.

Vindication for Ceri Jones too, had my doubts but he picked a team to win that and I think the players will play for him.

Starting to agree with Luckless, all our cash should be laid at the fee of a competent defence coach.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 28 Apr 2019, 12:58 am

Playing the Scarlets is an east game, in effect. Their “fans” try to be derogatory to us and their players must think they’re mint too. Ah well. Blame the Scarlets budget l!! I’m

by Guest Sun 28 Apr 2019, 1:33 am

RiscaGame wrote:Playing the Scarlets is an east game, in effect. Their “fans” try to be derogatory to us and their players must think they’re mint too. Ah well. Blame the Scarlets budget l!! I’m

Sober up next time Hug

by Stone Motif Sun 28 Apr 2019, 1:58 am

miaow wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Playing the Scarlets is an east game, in effect. Their “fans” try to be derogatory to us and their players must think they’re mint too. Ah well. Blame the Scarlets budget l!! I’m

Sober up next time

Forget that noise, enjoy it Ale

by **RiscaGame** Sun 28 Apr 2019, 8:19 am

Only young once Very Happy

by mikey_dragon Sun 28 Apr 2019, 7:09 pm

I couldn't watch it as this wasn't on TV, so not available on DAZN either. Heard Wainright got MOTM though, good for him.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 28 Apr 2019, 7:45 pm

Nice parting gift from Tovey, to win another derby. Watched most of it back on Premier today.

by Stone Motif Sun 28 Apr 2019, 8:27 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Nice parting gift from Tovey, to win another derby. Watched most of it back on Premier today.

Worth keeping surely? He'd be cheap in the new banding.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 29 Apr 2019, 12:40 am

I would have said so. It doesn’t look like it’s happening though.

by Stone Motif Mon 29 Apr 2019, 8:50 am

RiscaGame wrote:I would have said so. It doesn’t look like it’s happening though.

Be a genuine WTF moment if they do let him go. Henson is gone, who is the back up going to be, Jacob Botica?

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 29 Apr 2019, 10:33 am

I didn't watch this live, and I'd basically fallen out of love with the Dragons, and then they go and do this, which is really bad timing because I'll probably renew now, which I'd said I wouldn't do.

Following matches on Twitter is horrible. The wait for updates you're also dreading... You always got the sense the Scarlets would come back, win it, and then put Gareth Davies up for interview where he'd say something unnecessarily snide about us. I watched it as live last night on S4C, and even though I knew the result, that last minute or two before the botched drop goal was horrible. Almost as horrible as the Scarlets' away shirt, but not quite.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 29 Apr 2019, 10:35 am

Stone Motif wrote:Well, that was unexpected.

Wainwright a monster again. Screech showed up we'll and a notable effort from Lewis Evans. Couple of players starting to hit some form, Rhodri, Josh Lewis and Jack Dixon staring to show promise in the midfield in particular.

Vindication for Ceri Jones too, had my doubts but he picked a team to win that and I think the players will play for him.

Starting to agree with Luckless, all our cash should be laid at the fee of a competent defence coach.

Some of the tries we conceded were very soft again. We have some very good young players, and some very good not-so-young players like Adam Warren, but we'll always be up against it and losing more games than we win if we continue to be a side that's easy to score against.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 29 Apr 2019, 10:40 am

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:I would have said so. It doesn’t look like it’s happening though.
Be a genuine WTF moment if they do let him go. Henson is gone, who is the back up going to be, Jacob Botica?

He definitely hasn't been re-signed. I would imagine, they are trying their hardest to sign Sam Davies and are pretty reliant on that.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 29 Apr 2019, 10:43 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I didn't watch this live, and I'd basically fallen out of love with the Dragons, and then they go and do this, which is really bad timing because I'll probably renew now, which I'd said I wouldn't do.

Following matches on Twitter is horrible. The wait for updates you're also dreading... You always got the sense the Scarlets would come back, win it, and then put Gareth Davies up for interview where he'd say something unnecessarily snide about us. I watched it as live last night on S4C, and even though I knew the result, that last minute or two before the botched drop goal was horrible. Almost as horrible as the Scarlets' away shirt, but not quite.

I was busy at the Army v RAF game in Gloucester, so didn't even bother checking the score. I literally went online at around half 6 or so expecting to see we had lost and saw we hadn't.

It seems a few people will renew now, when they probably wouldn't have. I think it still hinges on who the head coach is for me. One thing that frustrated me a bit was during the Premier Sports coverage, they were advertising Scarlets season tickets for next season, but nothing off us. Feel like we missed a bit of a trick there.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 29 Apr 2019, 11:01 am

Buttress promised an announcement about the head coach this week, didn't he? I'll feel a bit bad for Ceri Jones if / when he doesn't get the job, but it's not like he's leaving.

I thought Rhodri Williams's kicking game was excellent again on Saturday. He's not flash but he controls the game very well from scrum half. Outside chance that he'll add to his Test caps?

by Stone Motif Mon 29 Apr 2019, 11:03 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
Stone Motif wrote:Well, that was unexpected.

Wainwright a monster again. Screech showed up we'll and a notable effort from Lewis Evans. Couple of players starting to hit some form, Rhodri, Josh Lewis and Jack Dixon staring to show promise in the midfield in particular.

Vindication for Ceri Jones too, had my doubts but he picked a team to win that and I think the players will play for him.

Starting to agree with Luckless, all our cash should be laid at the fee of a competent defence coach.

Some of the tries we conceded were very soft again. We have some very good young players, and some very good not-so-young players like Adam Warren, but we'll always be up against it and losing more games than we win if we continue to be a side that's easy to score against.

For me given the amount of narrative around the dominance of defences in rugby these days, the poverty of our efforts in thus area really takes some beating. We hear endlessly how easy it is to smother attacks, so you'd think this was the easiest thing for our lot to get right.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 29 Apr 2019, 11:11 am

In fairness, they must know it's an issue if they tried to bring in Shaun Edwards. But it's a vital appointment now if we want to get anywhere.

by TightHEAD Mon 29 Apr 2019, 11:18 am

Enjoyed both games, entertaining rugby to watch, but why is it the big name players never produce the same for their regions as they do for Wales?

by Stone Motif Mon 29 Apr 2019, 1:21 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Enjoyed both games, entertaining rugby to watch, but why is it the big name players never produce the same for their regions as they do for Wales?

You're right. Wainwright, Moriarty and Dee were anonymous on Saturday.

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