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

by **RiscaGame** Wed 08 Jan 2020, 2:56 pm

First topic message reminder :

Because it seemingly hit his head. I understand why he did it, as they were slowing us down a fair bit and not getting penalised, but it needs to be a few more angles than the clip I have seen.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 13 May 2020, 4:04 pm

Ellis Shipp's signed an extension. I've been really impressed with what I've seen of him. His darts are a bit off sometimes, but that can be worked on.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 13 May 2020, 4:21 pm

Yeah, I didn't mind him when he played under Jackman and then never really got it when he got cast aside for a while.

Jon Evans leaving Scarlets. Wonder where he will end up?

by mikey_dragon Wed 13 May 2020, 5:42 pm

Would like to see Evans and Fonotia join up with us. Tomane and Fonotia is better than anything else we can put out right now. Get those and some more forwards then my faith in us as a pro set-up is restored.

by mikey_dragon Sat 16 May 2020, 8:29 am

https://www.dragonsrugby.wales/news/2020/may/dragons-confirm-departures.html List of players leaving. Ryan Bevington isn’t among them hmmm.

Ceri Jones also leaving, that I didn’t expect.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 16 May 2020, 10:09 am

Ceri Jones has been highlighted as leaving by Chris Kirwan for a while. It is a shame. Always felt he would end up with the head coach role full time, at some point.

No great losses for me, with the players leaving. I know a lot of people love Cudd, but I probably wouldn’t have renewed his contract after last season either.

Nansen and Bevington staying (for now), doesn’t really fill me with confidence that we are signing front five players. Then again Howells staying makes we wonder, are we missing out on our rumoured signings.

by mikey_dragon Sat 16 May 2020, 10:36 am

Trying to build depth, I guess. Something we can’t achieve with players that are always injured. It was time for the likes of Bev, Jarvis and Nansen to go. Howells I’m torn on, very injury-prone but the exact type of back 3 player we need. Agree that Cudd should have went last year, what with his tired old body and our depth at 7.

Still need a lock, but it doesn’t look like we are getting any more front row players this season.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 20 May 2020, 4:00 pm

Tyler Morgan officially announced by the Scarlets. Good luck to him (except when they play us), he deserves an injury-free run.

by mikey_dragon Wed 20 May 2020, 9:27 pm

So we’re the only ones still not to officially confirm new signings then.

by mikey_dragon Thu 21 May 2020, 9:53 am

Tom Griffiths extends now too. Hopefully Tomane doesn’t change his mind.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 21 May 2020, 10:19 am

Tom Griffiths looked solid enough when he played.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 21 May 2020, 11:00 am

Tyler Morgan deserves a bit of luck and I respect him wanting to try a different environment in his situation. He probably isn't first choice for us, even during International Windows, whereas he has a good chance of being first choice when Foxy is with TW.

I was quietly impressed with Griffiths too.

by mikey_dragon Fri 22 May 2020, 1:36 pm

So our lock forward is set to be WQ Joe Maksymiw.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 22 May 2020, 3:48 pm

To be honest, I wasn’t too excited when I saw this first thing, as I assumed he would be a fringe player or something. But he is heavily involved, so I think we’ve done pretty well here, if it comes off.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 22 May 2020, 5:17 pm

I guess they knew a while ago that Cory's head had been turned, so they had time to scout for a good replacement in the event that he couldn't be persuaded to stay.

by mikey_dragon Fri 22 May 2020, 5:21 pm

I would hope we’re getting another lock of a high caliber, especially if Nansen goes.

by Stone Motif Sat 23 May 2020, 7:26 am

Quite intrigued by this. He racked up a decent number of appearances against some very good teams last season. Could be a good value signing this. Connacht have a good pack.

by mikey_dragon Sat 23 May 2020, 9:32 am

That could well be the case. Wiki must have his number of appearances wrong then, and he needs to bulk up.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 23 May 2020, 11:13 am

mikey_dragon wrote:That could well be the case. Wiki must have his number of appearances wrong then, and he needs to bulk up.

Glanced his stats on the Connacht website and on Wiki and the usual other rugby profile sites. His weight varies from 16.5 stone all the way up to 17.9 stone. I'd assume the lighter weight was when he first joined Tigers as he's matured he's bound to have naturally added weight and then in a professional setting bulked up to around the 18 atone mark. His frame might have a bit more room. From memory he was a lineout lock though.

by mikey_dragon Sat 23 May 2020, 1:04 pm

I think it’s why we could do with another big lock that can throw their weight around. Joe Davies’ 130kg doesn’t quite cut it. Perhaps someone like Rowlands and Grobler - doubt we’d get either of those now though.

by Stone Motif Sat 23 May 2020, 6:35 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:I think it’s why we could do with another big lock that can throw their weight around. Joe Davies’ 130kg doesn’t quite cut it. Perhaps someone like Rowlands and Grobler - doubt we’d get either of those now though.

As you've just pointed out, weight ain't the be all and end all. He's only 24/25 isn't he?

by mikey_dragon Sat 23 May 2020, 8:39 pm

Joe Davies is a very unique case.

by Stone Motif Mon 25 May 2020, 10:34 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Tyler Morgan deserves a bit of luck and I respect him wanting to try a different environment in his situation. He probably isn't first choice for us, even during International Windows, whereas he has a good chance of being first choice when Foxy is with TW.

I was quietly impressed with Griffiths too.

Darth Maule with a much higher ceiling.

Hope it works out for him, maintaining his pro status with T1 is a victory in itself, has all the gifts to be a rolls Royce of a centre.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 26 May 2020, 3:52 pm

Jonah Holmes finally confirmed. You've got a good one there. Equally comfortable at wing and fullback. Even did a turn for us at 9 during a particularly tough injury period, he played his academy rugby in that position, did ok.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 26 May 2020, 5:30 pm

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Tyler Morgan deserves a bit of luck and I respect him wanting to try a different environment in his situation. He probably isn't first choice for us, even during International Windows, whereas he has a good chance of being first choice when Foxy is with TW.

I was quietly impressed with Griffiths too.

Darth Maule with a much higher ceiling.

Hope it works out for him, maintaining his pro status with T1 is a victory in itself, has all the gifts to be a rolls Royce of a centre.

Yes, it is a victory in itself.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 26 May 2020, 5:35 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Jonah Holmes finally confirmed. You've got a good one there. Equally comfortable at wing and fullback. Even did a turn for us at 9 during a particularly tough injury period, he played his academy rugby in that position, did ok.

Pleased with this. We've probably not had one back three player without injury this season. I don't know where he will play for us, as it would seem Jordan Williams was probably first choice 15, so don't know if we would end up with 11 Holmes, 14 Hewitt, 15 Williams. I would definitely count Ashton Hewitt as a nailed on starter before this was completed and Rosser was pretty sharp before the break too, so maybe Jordan Williams may become an impact sub?

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 01 Jun 2020, 3:33 pm

Jordan Williams was really important to us before he got injured, and we definitely missed him. I agree that Hewitt should be starting if he's fit, so it might be that Jonah Holmes has to play on the wing.

If Team Wales have a preference for where Jonah Holmes plays, that would be wing, wouldn't it? He's behind Sanjay and Halfpenny for the fullback slot straightaway.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 01 Jun 2020, 8:59 pm

I think we will be asked to play him 11, plus of course the dreaded 13 talk has happened already.

by mikey_dragon Mon 01 Jun 2020, 9:53 pm

If we can rotate a bit then I’d like to see Holmes at 15 when Williams isn’t playing. I don’t see Holmes as a 13, I wonder if that chat has come about because we aren’t getting Tomane now. Would like to see more of Dyer this season. Rosser and Talbot-Davies always step up when asked, but both are probably just decent back-up for now. If Tompkins links up with us I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the wing as well.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 18 Jun 2020, 2:35 pm

This'll boil some p!ss:

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18525974.dragons-face-europes-best-champions-cup/

by **RiscaGame** Thu 18 Jun 2020, 2:44 pm

Look out Europe, you are about to receive the biggest of whoopings.

by mikey_dragon Thu 18 Jun 2020, 6:13 pm

Haha love it. If they’re not eyeing more squad additions now is a good time to really try - “Come join us and you’ll be playing in the top tier of European rugby.”

by Stone Motif Sat 20 Jun 2020, 6:29 am

The p1ss boiling is the only good thing about it. With the possibility finally real of a radical reshifting of the leagues we really need to be concentrating on the bread and butter of the PrO'14- buying in players we can't afford just to take some thrashings anyway would be madness. Make like a French team away unless we get a winnable home game and chuck in a shadow side, and put the extra cash (if any) into recruitment next season.

by mikey_dragon Sat 20 Jun 2020, 8:34 am

I can imagine it boiling someone’s p1ss on here for sure, that’s when he decides to pull himself away from fitting carpets and grace us with his presence.
I imagine we would duck games in the latter stages if we’re out, hope we aren’t just there to make up the numbers/bonus points and would like to see us actually try, ya need better players for that. Hope we get some luck on the injury front too.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 20 Jun 2020, 9:48 am

It’ll be great for our players to hopefully sample places like Racing Metro, rather than the usual Russian jaunt we have.

It’ll also hopefully make Dai Buttress realise how we can’t afford to keep treading water, especially if we are to go into private ownership. This level is where players like Hewitt etc will want to play, especially those with Wales ambitions.

by mikey_dragon Sat 20 Jun 2020, 10:36 am

Hope to avoid Racing and Leinster actually, but happy if we’re in the competition.

by mikey_dragon Sat 20 Jun 2020, 10:45 am

Haha looks like he came back online to complain about my comment, before signing back out. Pathetic.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 21 Jun 2020, 2:06 am

They haven’t logged in, have they?

by mikey_dragon Wed 24 Jun 2020, 9:39 pm

I wonder if there’s much or any truth in the Rowlands rumour that is circulating. I think we’re a bit more appealing now that we’re playing in the elite competition Wink

.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 24 Jun 2020, 11:55 pm

Probably just the “National Media of Wales” making something of nothing.

by mikey_dragon Thu 25 Jun 2020, 11:00 am

Probably, but I've always been a little hopeful and it's probably been mentioned behind the scenes anyway. I wonder if they also considered Rhys Carre? Technically he is being forced to leave his current contract rather than it expiring, so if we were to swoop in then that isn't breaking any rules like they did with the signing of Hill!

by Stone Motif Mon 29 Jun 2020, 8:50 am

Nansen confirmed as leaving for physiotherapist's waiting rooms anew. Fingers crossed Wasps need to trim their squad...

by mikey_dragon Mon 29 Jun 2020, 10:08 am

If we do get Rowlands, ideally we could probably do with another lock forward.

by Stone Motif Tue 30 Jun 2020, 12:33 pm

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18549061.tompkins-turned-welsh-regions-dragons/

Interesting comments. I thought we were a shambles/parasites/about to be sold off to build houses etc.

by LordDowlais Wed 01 Jul 2020, 12:38 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:I can imagine it boiling someone’s p1ss on here for sure, that’s when he decides to pull himself away from fitting carpets and grace us with his presence.
I imagine we would duck games in the latter stages if we’re out, hope we aren’t just there to make up the numbers/bonus points and would like to see us actually try, ya need better players for that. Hope we get some luck on the injury front too.

mikey_dragon wrote:Haha looks like he came back online to complain about my comment, before signing back out. Pathetic.

Mikey, why don't you just wind your neck in ?

You are one of the main reasons a lot of people do not bother on here anymore. For the record, TODAY is the first I am reading of this, I have not logged onto here for weeks, because I am getting fed up of your nonsense in particular.

How the MODS have not banned you is anyones guess.

You describe me as pathetic, even though I have not reported your post, but do you know what is pathetic ? I will tell you. It's the fact that I am not even on here for weeks/months, yet your obsession with me never diminishes, which is proven by the fact, that you are still referencing me even though I am not on this site, or part of your conversation.

Now that's pathetic. picard

by mikey_dragon Wed 01 Jul 2020, 1:43 pm

Chief p!ss boiler is back to overreact and lie as per usual. It was only a matter of time given the recent announcements regarding Dragons Rugby.

by LordDowlais Wed 01 Jul 2020, 2:13 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Chief p!ss boiler is back to overreact and lie as per usual. It was only a matter of time given the recent announcements regarding Dragons Rugby.

by LordDowlais Wed 01 Jul 2020, 2:15 pm

Anyway, best of luck to Dragons I say.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 01 Jul 2020, 2:43 pm

Dragons finally confirm Joe Maksymiw. Good signing to be fair, as I have said previously.

Good that we should have players like Tompkins, Holmes and Maksymiw available for the Bristol game too. With the difference in budgets, we will need a bit of help.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 01 Jul 2020, 2:51 pm

In the interests of Lord not being hounded, I will admit to complaining about the initial post. The idea was, so that he wouldn't see the needless digs at him and respond (as is his right). I wanted to keep the thread as it is supposed to be and not have it turn into a bickering thread. Sadly, the post was left up and he has seen it.

by mikey_dragon Wed 01 Jul 2020, 3:47 pm

Risca, assume you're the one who notified mods of certain posts by BamBam then. Just be advised they don't remove posts or mod people now (which is their own admission btw); I've noticed that some do if it's a Welsh comment against an English/Scottish one though. Understand why you felt the need to alert the mods, but you should know by now that certain folk who 'support' other Regions tend to come on here and bicker anyway. I do apologise for my part in doing it this time.

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