Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[dragon4life]

First topic message reminder :

3 in Wales squad that would have been 4 if tyler was fit

[Cardiff Dave]

Tyler and Amos and DCs......???

[GavinDragon]

your point Dave?

[Cardiff Dave]

your point Dave?

Carried on from the Newcastle thread.

[GavinDragon]

so is your point that the Dragons should have tied down Amos and Morgan regardless of DC?

[Cardiff Dave]

so is your point that the Dragons should have tied down Amos and Morgan regardless of DC?

The Drags would get their allocated DC cash anyway at the end of the day. £500,000 each I believe.

[GavinDragon]

so whats your point, i think i may have missed it from the other thread

[Cardiff Dave]

so whats your point, i think i may have missed it from the other thread

Agreed. Think about it mun.

[Guest]

The thing is, I'm sure the Tovey bashers will say he did play well, but he probably played a third choice ten behind a good pack (scrums aside). It's hard to say how another ten might go in any game. I don't care anyway, we won.

[bedfordwelsh]

I don't think many (if any) predicted that result yesterday, I said if we good get a losing BP it would be good. Most also doubted Lyns selection of Dorian Jones but fair play I thought he had a really good game and Morgan and Amos were outstanding.

Lets finish it all off nicely next week now against Stade and set up a home quarter final tie.

[GavinDragon]

Upon reflection I don't think Jones did anything to vet wouldn't have done. His defence was suspect and he got bounced two times. However I really like how o brien plays, takes the ball flat to the line and straightens and his distribution is superb. Shanks et was poor by his standard yesterday. Missed a couple of tackles

[bedfordwelsh]

GD,

Lets be honest their prop Brookes is it bounced pretty much anyone who stood in his way yesterday, along with the winger who Faletau bounced I bet there are some sore bodies this morning.

[glamorganalun]

Amos made up for the charge down in the home game the Dragons lost to Newcastle the Dragons should have won.

Good result but I thought the game was in the balance until Amos scored in the second half. Nice to see the backs looking good again. Great game to watch well done both teams in the end.

[Guest]

Not wanting to pick holes, Alun, but when Amos scored it was 17-35 and he then made it 17-40. Is 17-35 really 'in the balance'?! I thought it was probably more 'in the balance' at the end of the game when the score difference was at its narrowest.

[bedfordwelsh]

Think most fans (know i was) were chewing on our nails once they started the comeback

[GavinDragon]

I actually agree, Newcastle had all the momentum and were making consistent inroads in our defence, if one or two of their passes had gone to hand it would have been even less comfortable,

Amos' try stemmed the tide....

Question is now we have two exciting backs (three if you include Dixon) how long before the one true region come looking for them and how much protection will a NDC give us from being raided by another region?

[bedfordwelsh]

GD,

Guess that will be the test of the Dcs.

[Guest]

I actually agree, Newcastle had all the momentum and were making consistent inroads in our defence, if one or two of their passes had gone to hand it would have been even less comfortable,

Amos' try stemmed the tide....

Question is now we have two exciting backs (three if you include Dixon) how long before the one true region come looking for them and how much protection will a NDC give us from being raided by another region?

But in 'the balance' suggests to me that the game could have gone either way at that point, but to go the other way (Newcastle's way) would have required another 18 points before Amos went over. I was actually more worried at the end with only 11 points in it. A few more points and they would have got a losing BP and been joint top with us, with an easier last fixture for them too. Maybe I'm just splitting hairs...

[Cardiff Dave]

I actually agree, Newcastle had all the momentum and were making consistent inroads in our defence, if one or two of their passes had gone to hand it would have been even less comfortable,

Amos' try stemmed the tide....

Question is now we have two exciting backs (three if you include Dixon) how long before the one true region come looking for them and how much protection will a NDC give us from being raided by another region?

I assume that all 3 (player, club and WRU) would have to agree on any move to another pro team.

[glamorganalun]

[quote="Griff"]

I actually agree, Newcastle had all the momentum and were making consistent inroads in our defence, if one or two of their passes had gone to hand it would have been even less comfortable,

Amos' try stemmed the tide....

Question is now we have two exciting backs (three if you include Dixon) how long before the one true region come looking for them and how much protection will a NDC give us from being raided by another region?

But in 'the balance' suggests to me that the game could have gone either way at that point, but to go the other way (Newcastle's way) would have required another 18 points before Amos went over. I was actually more worried at the end with only 11 points in it. A few more points and they would have got a losing BP and been joint top with us, with an easier last fixture for them too. Maybe I'm just splitting hairs...[/quote

Griff,

It was how it felt to me at that time in the game as there was a lot of time on the clock, the last 10 mins the Dragons were back in the game just look at the comments from the Newcastle boys comments prior and after the Amos score. Great game to watch.

[The Saint]

So having just seen the team, how many injuries do we have exactly?

Also, how much longer will we be without Stankovich?

[Guest]

Dragons team to face Stade Francais
Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, James Thomas, Rynard Landman (c), Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: T. Rhys Thomas, Lloyd Fairbrother, Dan Way, Cory Hill, Ian Gough, Luc Jones, Angus O’Brien, Ashton Hewitt.

So Pewtner and Coombs injured. Pretty harsh on Goose, as although he still isn't a hooker in my mind he did do nothing wrong last week.

I'm also confused as to why Ash isn't getting a bit of game time off the bench, instead of Ashton. He is fit apparently, so have him there. If we are in the schtick, I would rather be able to call on Rees, Tovey and Ash than Lyn's boy, Angus and Ashton. I also don't get why we have two tightheads on the bench.

[The Saint]

Yeah it's stupid. Just imagine if we do face someone like Gloucester in the KO stages and they still refuse to put out our best team for reasons unknown. It'll be interesting to see if James Thomas continues his good form being back at lock.

Rev, when Byrne is fit do you think (like I) that he should be shifted to the wing, with Amos on the other and Prydie at 15?

[GavinDragon]

Yeah it's stupid. Just imagine if we do face someone like Gloucester in the KO stages and they still refuse to put out our best team for reasons unknown. It'll be interesting to see if James Thomas continues his good form being back at lock.

Rev, when Byrne is fit do you think (like I) that he should be shifted to the wing, with Amos on the other and Prydie at 15?

If I remember rightly way is a converted LH?

[The Saint]

Yeah it's stupid. Just imagine if we do face someone like Gloucester in the KO stages and they still refuse to put out our best team for reasons unknown. It'll be interesting to see if James Thomas continues his good form being back at lock.

Rev, when Byrne is fit do you think (like I) that he should be shifted to the wing, with Amos on the other and Prydie at 15?

If I remember rightly way is a converted LH?

Not sure. but even if he is I don't think he's suitable for our back 3 positions.

[bedfordwelsh]

Yet again some strange selections from L Jones with regards the bench. We have a great chance of a home quarter but cant understand his backs on the bench.

As has been said a backs cover of Rees, Tovey and Smith would be way more experienced and threatening IMO

[The Saint]

Well, this is another fixture that I planned on going to, only to not go. Now I regret it. Seems we're off to a good start.

PS - this game isn't on TV, so there is absolutely no chance of finding a live stream? (hence maybe why I couldn't find one, same with Grenoble vs Blues).

[Guest]

I am in a bit of a quandry now, as I am scared of jinxing us in our quarter final (assuming we do get a home one). I am working today, so couldn't attend. Gutted.

Sounds like our pack is doing well in the scrums and great to hear of another driving lineout try.

[The Saint]

Yeah, James Thomas is in fine form - another good back-row player we have, yet we've gone and signed a flanker... Anyway, we seem to have converted a few penalties, but I would have preferred us going for the driving lineout try more often.

[Guest]

I don't mind signing the Kiwi backrower to be honest. Might help lead to signing other Super Rugby type players, like halfbacks.

[Guest]

What's the chances we get Newcastle again in the quarters?!!!

[Guest]

That was a rhetorical question by the way! I know there's no draw and it's based on seedlings...

[Cardiff Dave]

What's the chances we get Newcastle again in the quarters?!!!

I'll put a tenner on it.

[The Saint]

So what's the last 8 look like then? I think there's one more game to be played, but Welsh vs Lyon is a dead rubber right?

[VinceWLB]

Is the seeding still based on try scored in case 2 teams ends up with the same n° of points? if so unless Exeter scores more than 11 tries against Bayonne it looks like a Dragons-Blues derby at the Parade!

[Cardiff Dave]

So what's the last 8 look like then? I think there's one more game to be played, but Welsh vs Lyon is a dead rubber right?

Probably.....

Gloucester
NGD
Exeter
LI
Edinburgh
Cardiff
Newcastle
Connacht

[Cardiff Dave]

Is the seeding still based on try scored in case 2 teams ends up with the same n° of points? if so unless Exeter scores more than 11 tries against Bayonne it looks like a Dragons-Blues derby at the Parade!

Aye, Exeter would have to score a shed full to overtake the Drags and I do believe it would be down to points difference rather than tries scored.

[Guest]

Apparently Exeter have to win by 41 points to take our seeding.

[Cardiff Dave]

Apparently Exeter have to win by 41 points to take our seeding.

Yep.

[Guest]

So looking at your table above Cardiff Dave it would be Dragons v Newcastle 2nd v 7th???

[VinceWLB]

Is the seeding still based on try scored in case 2 teams ends up with the same n° of points? if so unless Exeter scores more than 11 tries against Bayonne it looks like a Dragons-Blues derby at the Parade!

Aye, Exeter would have to score a shed full to overtake the Drags and I do believe it would be down to points difference rather than tries scored.

Aye thought there was still only 2 runner up but there is 3 as there is now 5 pools, so basically i forgot Connacht...

[Cardiff Dave]

So looking at your table above Cardiff Dave it would be Dragons v Newcastle 2nd v 7th???

It's looking that way unless Exeter wake up. 11 nil HT.

[Guest]

I think I'd prefer Newcastle to be honest. Not that they'll be easy. But for me the Blues are better than people give them credit for lately. And they've got plenty of recent experience of winning at RP. The occasion would be fantastic though!

[Guest]

It would be a better occasion. Certainly a much bigger attendance too. Just feels so wrong playing Newcastle again.

I guess we would be more confident facing Newcastle again though.

[The Saint]

I'd rather Newcastle too, that way a Welsh team has a better chance of making the final.

[Guest]

Yep, and my first thought was like Rev said: it would be a shame to face the same folk from the group stages for the 3rd time. But I agree with this seedings appraoch being the best way to sort the quarters, rather than winner of group A plays runner up of B, etc.

[The Saint]

Newcastle will be up for that, we're going to need to put out our best squad for a change! Hope Stanko is back by then.

[Guest]

Yes, I've been impressed with Stanko, until the injury. Not surprised by him though as he came with a good reputation. He's probably the most square/cube shaped human I've seen! As wide as he is tall! Like Ram Man from He-Man!

Newcastle will deffo be up for it. But I feel with a derby, like a Liverpool v Everton football derby, form and home advantage go out the window a bit. I know the regional haters will say 'it's not Newport v Cardiff you know' but it's still them lot down the road vs us lot to the east. Could go either way (obvs). Years back I would have been crying out for the blues at home in the quarters. But now I just want a smidgen of success and progression. Not that I'm taking Newcastle lightly...

[The Saint]

Exeter win by 42 points...

[Cardiff Dave]

Exeter win by 42 points...

[Cardiff Dave]

Great result for Welsh rugby plus the Terks got a tuning.

[Sponsored content]