Dragons RFC - new name, new season: 2022/23

First topic message reminder :




New name, bit of a rebrand…..but same old Dragons? Hopefully not!

Player movements:

Players In:

Bradley Roberts from Ireland Ulster
JJ Hanrahan from France Clermont
Rhodri Jones from Wales Ospreys
Sean Lonsdale from England Exeter Chiefs
Max Clark from England Bath
George Nott from England London Irish
Sio Tomkinson from New Zealand Highlanders
Angus O'Brien from Wales Scarlets
Lewis Jones from Wales Cardiff
Rob Evans from Wales Scarlets


Players Out:

Taylor Davies returned to Wales Scarlets
Dan Babos released
Mesake Doge released
Tom Griffiths released
Jordan Olowofela returned to England Leicester Tigers
Max Williams released
Josh Lewis to Wales Merthyr
Jonah Holmes to England Ealing Trailfinders
Dan Baker to Wales Aberavon
Owen Jenkins to Wales Wales Sevens
Will Talbot-Davies to England Coventry
Greg Bateman retired
Joe Maksymiw to France Agen
Evan Lloyd to Wales Ebbw Vale
Carrick McDonough to Wales Ebbw Vale
Adam Warren to Wales Llandovery
Harry Fry to England Hartpury University

Some decent signings there, on paper. And lots of players leaving who were not that good. But also losing a couple of decent ones in Doge and Holmes.

Fingers crossed for a few more wins this season

Great news!

Mad how the deal seems in Dragons favour. I didn’t expect to come out of it with anything from the ground etc.

I have doubted Buttress, but it seems like he has done okay here. Clearly more scrutiny on us in a way, given we now have to be United against the WRU and they’re holding the feet to the fire nonsense etc.

But for now. Great news. Dai Flan’s Barmy Army

Ummm, we’re being linked with Cai Evans now. Not sold on him at this level just yet. I haven’t seen much of him but that’s because he seemingly had a break from pro rugby (through not being good enough). I assume Dai is interested because he plays 10 and 15.

Yeah, I'm not overly enthused. Seems he's played little for a 24 year old yet it's mad he's been picked in the world cup training squad? Must be seen as being at least half decent by Gatland?

.... or maybe Cai's dad is high up in the organisation? We needed reinforcements in the backs but I would have thought players who are specialist in their position is a better idea, rather than a host of utility backs.

Signing up Deon Slabbert has fallen through. Dai doesn’t seem interested in doing any more recruitment… He’ll also be our unofficial defence coach with Sam Hobbs helping out. I know what you’re thinking - “We had a defence coach???”

Proper caught with my pants down on my previous comment, as today it's been announced we've signed Rodrigo Martinez!

He is a LH, more about him here: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/dragons-boost-front-row-snapping-115105669.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHoQ-CxRc9WRdwrtqBRiOLh-lS76fJTOnGgMRIN3hFvfCSPXkqqrWtYeTDU-ygun8t9Ye9GyiX1UBg9YGM5k4cxlKmwbW8DvaIso2P-G-kMXGm2fBgOuu8ZF0s1JxbwIefJQddJvwui5SuYSBN8dIZuWieJVWSbIewTY2cT_tluy

I knew we were due to sign a LH, we just aren't seeking another lock. It seems like we are holding out hope that Slabbert will still come, just at a later date. I would like us to get another lock, as I think we aren't that well stocked with quality,

The lock situation concerns me but given our currently available options, that would concern anyone. If Dai is still insistent on having Davies as a regular then I'd put Carter to 6 instead of Nott; or, you could just put Carter with Nott at 2nd row. Lonsdale should be trialled at 8 as we have too many other back-row options. I expect Waino will be considered first choice 8, especially if he features there more for Wales.

Dai is also talking up Stef Hughes again so I suspect he doesn't rate Tomkinson. I wholeheartedly disagree with him on that one. I figured he doesn't rate Clarke but he hasn't really kicked on, could be in part to not getting enough game time as well though.

RiscaGame wrote:I knew we were due to sign a LH, we just aren't seeking another lock. It seems like we are holding out hope that Slabbert will still come, just at a later date. I would like us to get another lock, as I think we aren't that well stocked with quality,

We getting another TH and more backs? The backs I would suspect not, but we seem to have stocked up on utilities (O'Brien, Baldwin, Evans). Would have preferred a specialist in certain positions. AOB has to be first choice fly-half now.

Not a tight head apparently. Backs, I don’t think so either. I think AOB will be mostly first choice ten. Especially when Evans comes in (assuming he won’t go to the WC).

I love Sio and Clark. Think our centres will be Dixon and Hughes mostly though.

RiscaGame wrote:Not a tight head apparently. Backs, I don’t think so either. I think AOB will be mostly first choice ten. Especially when Evans comes in (assuming he won’t go to the WC).

I love Sio and Clark. Think our centres will be Dixon and Hughes mostly though.

I really like Hughes and Sio. Think they're more more 13s though so doubt they'd be played together. When I saw Sio play in that friendly v Bristol at the start of the season I thought we'd found a gem. Great footwork, really 'busy' and aggressive player. Full gas all the time in attack and defence. But as always players lose a bit of shine at the Dragons, unfortunately. Must be all of the losses eventually grinds a player down!

I've stated my issues with Jack Dixon on here a few times, and in fairness he has been getting better and putting in some good performances. But he's a defensive centre for me and very little else. Just looked up his stats - played 168 times over the last 12 seasons and only has 14 tries to his name. 1 a season for a centre is really poor for me. It's a try every 12 games. Poor. Especially as Dragons seem to be wanting to play an attacking game. We (he) have got to be doing better surely? There's probably props with a better try scoring rate than that! Granted, Dragons have struggled to win games and rack up the points. That's why we're way down the league each year. But is that because the likes of Dixon are not scoring much, or is he not scoring much because the Dragons are poor?

Just looked up a few players and Basham has a try scoring rate of 1 every 5.4 games (15 in 81 appearance). So he's scored more tries than Dixon in half the games. And he's a flanker! A bloody good one. But still a forward. Elliot Dee - 25 tries from Hooker in 144 appearances! I'm cherry picking a bit now of course. But I'm not sure how long we can go on with a centre who doesn't score much. Would we be better served with a more prolific centre? Does Dixon's defensive prowess make up for this lack of try scoring?

I think Dixon is meh. Blows hot sometimes but mostly cold. Maybe Sio could slot into 12 but Hughes has also played there so I don't know.

I think the game has moved away a bit from the bludgeon/crash ball 12. Can still be effective if there are some mismatches such as a giant 12 against a tiny player in the defensive line, but defences are so good now that rarely does a 12 manage to smash it up and make sufficient headway over the gain line to really make it an effective tool. They end up getting double tackled, wrapped up, knocked back, stood up, or a combo of those and it slows everything down. I think Dragons could do with a more rapier like 12. Although saying that, when you see the size of some of the SA and French teams I guess it's not too wise to have lots of little whipper snappers in the back line! But if we're gonna have a big 'un then I think he needs to be more efficient/productive in the scoring department.

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:I think the game has moved away a bit from the bludgeon/crash ball 12.  Can still be effective if there are some mismatches such as a giant 12 against a tiny player in the defensive line, but defences are so good now that rarely does a 12 manage to smash it up and make sufficient headway over the gain line to really make it an effective tool.  They end up getting double tackled, wrapped up, knocked back, stood up, or a combo of those and it slows everything down.  I think Dragons could do with a more rapier like 12.  Although saying that, when you see the size of some of the SA and French teams I guess it's not too wise to have lots of little whipper snappers in the back line!  But if we're gonna have a big 'un then I think he needs to be more efficient/productive in the scoring department.  

I think the important thing with the big ball carrying centre is having options around him and a playmaker(s) that can choose the right option. If the opposition are lining a double tackle etc then that's a compact defence and there's room elsewhere to target. A good playmaker will use the threat to manipulate the defence and only unleash the big guy when he's got a half gap or a one on one tackle to potentially bust or make ground.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:I think the game has moved away a bit from the bludgeon/crash ball 12.  Can still be effective if there are some mismatches such as a giant 12 against a tiny player in the defensive line, but defences are so good now that rarely does a 12 manage to smash it up and make sufficient headway over the gain line to really make it an effective tool.  They end up getting double tackled, wrapped up, knocked back, stood up, or a combo of those and it slows everything down.  I think Dragons could do with a more rapier like 12.  Although saying that, when you see the size of some of the SA and French teams I guess it's not too wise to have lots of little whipper snappers in the back line!  But if we're gonna have a big 'un then I think he needs to be more efficient/productive in the scoring department.  

I think the important thing with the big ball carrying centre is having options around him and a playmaker(s) that can choose the right option. If the opposition are lining a double tackle etc then that's a compact defence and there's room elsewhere to target. A good playmaker will use the threat to manipulate the defence and only unleash the big guy when he's got a half gap or a one on one tackle to potentially bust or make ground.

Yeah, as I was typing my messages I was thinking at the back of my mind that it does all depend on your play makers bringing the right person in at the right time and the Dragons have not exactly been blessed with top level play makers. Some half decent ones, but not top end HC or International level. So that could be part of the problem. And I did think that, in the case of Dixon, perhaps he is used as a decoy or dummy runner or is used first phase to get some front foot ball and then go wide to the try scorers. So maybe that's why he's not scoring so much. I'm just picking one metric, which is perhaps unfair. However.......... 14 tries in 12 years for a back - I just can't ignore those stats!

Dai Richards is also being considered primarily as a full-back. Some of these guys look a bit small on TV - players in general look bigger on TV than in person. Some need to bulk up a bit.

Looks like Deon Slabbert has been drafted to the Bulls.

Steff Hughes is named as our captain. Good choice. He will be a guaranteed starter, was pretty much our best player last season and is somebody who will be available to us with no call ups.

Four vice captains. George Nott, Harri Keddie, Rhodri Williams and AOB.

I like a leadership group and all that, but I wonder what the order is if Steff doesn’t play etc.

Ah, another one mikey called then. I rate Steff as a player and captain but Sio still should be first choice 13 so from that angle it's not an amazing call. Also from certain angles Dai has made a questionable signing or two, coupled with not bothering to recruit at lock but rather hold out for someone who clearly doesn't want to come here (he is now with money Bulls), so it's difficult to see a sharp upturn in results next season.

The co-captains all seem like good picks.

Did you hear the comments of the new board? Were going to be challenging Europe in 3 years.....Can't see how unless they really are putting some big money into the squad.

They would need to buy the squad now, as it would take 3 years to train them.

I might have misunderstood the budget situation with the regions. I thought they were going to have a £4.5m salary cap. Not sure how we can compete in Europe with that. Or is that just a salary minimum or basic from the WRU (via tv monies, competition money, international player release money, etc) and then the regions can top it up with money they generate from commercial activities and investors??? If the latter then we’re going to need to add about £4m on to be able to compete for European silverware! And also relax our ability to sign players from around the world, otherwise it will just drive up the price of Welsh players. And there’s not enough good ones of those to go around the 4 of us.

I wasn't sure if that was the money they were giving out, or whether it was a salary cap. I still thought that the teams were allowed to look elsewhere to get funding - this was thought of as a pipedream but now two of them have a few wealthy backers. Still, only one owns their stadium!

As for our consortium well, they appear to be thinking and saying the right things but we are still in desperate need of a cash-injection.

I would have thought that this consortium are the ones to inject the cash. The silicon valley guy was described as a ‘sports investor’. If they’re not going to be putting in cash then I’m not sure what the point of them is! Persuading others to do so maybe?

I assumed they meant the Challenge Cup, but it still seems a bit ambitious.

Wouldn't mind Dragons making it to the final this year mind, as I would love a trip to Tottenham's stadium. I hear it's the business.

Just read that Jersey Reds have ceased trading. Terrible news and I genuinely do not like seeing any teams go bust. But selfishly I wonder if we'll get a few players returning to the Welsh regions? Just looked at the squad and there's a few Welsh boys there included Joe Peard from Dragons. He seemed to have the size that we often struggle to produce in Wales but left for whatever reason. Wonder if we'll try to het him back? Was he on loan or just left fully? Others include Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets) and Huw Owen. Could be others - I've just looked at the Welsh sounding players!

I think Peard only just signed for them after Cardiff cut a 100 players. It’s telling that both us and them let him go. Having said that, I’ve said previously I’d sign him because he can’t be worse than Joe Davies, nothing to lose really.

We should have also signed Scragg when LI went under but Scarlets went and did it. Dai’s recruitment innit. Hughes I’ve seen plenty of and he’s a good player but we are stocked well at hooker. Looks like Burnell’s boy was on the Reds’ books too. Cardiff might sign him, he doesn’t need to be good as that’s what they’re doing now .

I’m not keen on the new kit btw.

I like the new home kit. I have heard that Buttress wanted us to go down a Newport County name route, before he went for Dragons RFC.

I don’t like the new change one. I did like and buy last season’s change shirt.

The home kit is alright, the away kit looks horrible. Miss the 2005 kit.

This was my favourite Dragons jersey.  Still got one knocking about somewhere.



(modelled by my favourite player too!)

mikey_dragon wrote:The home kit is alright, the away kit looks horrible. Miss the 2005 kit.

Could be worse have you seed the Ospreys away jersey?

Oakdene wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The home kit is alright, the away kit looks horrible. Miss the 2005 kit.

Could be worse have you seed the Ospreys away jersey?

Worst I've ever seen.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The home kit is alright, the away kit looks horrible. Miss the 2005 kit.

Could be worse have you seed the Ospreys away jersey?

Worst I've ever seen.

My Ospreys mate even said "I can't even pretend I like it...looks like an Ultimate Warrior tribute!"

Oakdene wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Oakdene wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The home kit is alright, the away kit looks horrible. Miss the 2005 kit.

Could be worse have you seed the Ospreys away jersey?

Worst I've ever seen.

My Ospreys mate even said "I can't even pretend I like it...looks like an Ultimate Warrior tribute!"

Oh my! I just had to Google it. Looks like a bad attempt at a Masquerade party outfit

I went to RP today, seeing as I was down the big City. Unsure on the kits now I’ve seen them in the flesh. Maybe leaning more towards the change one now. I thought I really liked the tiger training shirt too, but again when I saw it I was unsure.

The only things I definitely liked was the sweatshirt and the grey vest 

Max Clark has joined Cardiff on loan. Odd one that. Thought he was ok and, we could do with the cover. Had high hopes for him but perhaps he has not kicked on as expected?

And Joe Peard, ex-Dragon mentioned a week or two back as being available due to Jersey going under, has signed for Ampthill (Paul Turner).

I liked Clark. Kind of prefer him to Dixon really, but he never really got a crack last season.

I don't think Clark really had a fair crack either, but Stef Hughes did consistently well when he joined up. Good for Peard to get some pro rugby, and if he progresses then maybe he can come back. Still, we need to be shopping in SA for locks given the abundance of giant locks they have.

Barrel is starting for Wales, despite not originally being picked in the squad.

I love the guy, but there is no way he’s international class. Just shows again what a silly fixture it is. Just glad it isn’t capped.

Coleman and Yendle I assume, for Munster. Great news.

Brown injured again, and of course Griffiths got injured before the Cardiff game. I’ve never seen us struggle for players so much. With Brown and Griffiths, we need to move on from them.

I went over the Newport v Pontypridd match the other night.  First time watching Newport in years.  How refreshing to see a win!  A good win too!  54-3.  Not saying the standard was that of regional rugby.  But just nice to see some good running rugby.  Probably helped by Ponty's woeful defence.  Just a shame the crowd was so low.  Only a few hundred I reckon.  And the stadium over at Spytty is not great  Would be lovely if there was a way they could return to RP but I know a lot of diehards are against that given what happened.

It’s great watching Newport play. They really Chuck the ball around.

I’ve done Spytty too. The only thing half good about it, is the cricket club was alright to drink in. The ground is terrible.

They should be at RP, but Buttress and others have wrecked that. I think Spytty is easier to get volunteer stewards for etc too, obviously. And less for them to manage.

I didn't catch the game as I was with my son, but seen the score - it was expected and I don't see the point in watching it tbh. Facebook showed a clip of the first try (I think it was Nash), their winger run around Steff Hughes, our captain, quite easily and once he did Hughes seemed to give up. That really stood out for me.

We were competitive in the first half. Then the inevitable happened. I’d always expect a loss away to Munster, sadly, but with 20 players missing it was just a foregone conclusion. A matter of when rather than if. The number of knocks our players took too just made it look like men against boys. Just couldn’t match them physically and there seemed to be loads of stops to get our boys patched up. Angus O’Brien went off after 2 mins, with Dane Blacker replacing him! So a real makeshift team. The only slight positive was exposing some academy/semi pro players to this level. Not sure it would have done them much good! But they now know the level expected

I'm sure they've all known the level expected for a few years, but they cannot seem to get to that level. Apart from the odd result it is a foregone conclusion when Welsh teams go to Ireland and SA.

AOB out for 2 months.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/former-dragons-boss-paul-turner-28082455

Paul Turner back at the Dragons in a consultancy role. Good move I reckon.