Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[dragon4life]

First topic message reminder :

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

[GavinDragon]

When I am home I try and time it so that Ebbw and Dragons have a home game then I can go and watch both.  There is still a lot of bitterness towards the Dragons/Regions on the terraces by people of my generation though the pre season friendly against the Saints built some bridges.

Talking to lads in the club house and friends/family etc they get annoyed that some of the boys aren't getting recognised by the Dragons but then as you said on the flip side they are glad they aren't as that way the coaches are able to select from a settled squad.

This might cheer them up, Bedford:

'Ebbw Vale centre Carl Meyer will feature for Newport Gwent Dragons in their LV= Cup clash against Exeter on Sunday as the region bolster their midfield ranks.

The South African has been training with the Dragons and is poised for a debut against the Chiefs at Rodney Parade.'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/11749522.Dragons_to_have_a_look_at_Ebbw_centre_Carl_Meyer_in_LV__Cup/

We've had one or two and I know Kingsley still has strong links with Ebbw Vale and the club itself, the Saints game was well supported better than most expected and I hope its not just a one off.

I hope it's not a one off, too.

I went up for it with the mrs and boy and really enjoyed it. Thought it was a success also and was very dissapointed to see such a negative write up in the argus from Kirwin.

I spend alot of time on Twitter reading guff from those who are only interested in furthering the standing of Newport, so its good to come on here and see some pro-regionalists for a change

[bedfordwelsh]

GD,

I still think a lot of it is a generation issue, I have friends and family (my brother for one) who won't go anywhere near RP or have anything to do with the Dragons and it's the same with Ponty and the Blues.

There are some who have albeit slowly embraced the Dragons but that's a lot to do with young kids/grand kids in the family wanting to go or the Dragons do good work in the area.

A very good friend had to go to RP through gritted teeth last season because his grandson plays for RTBs Under somethings and they were mascots for one of the home games. Needless to say he had some fair stick of the other lads and grudgingly did admit that it was 'ok' and that the kids were well looked after by the Dragons.

[Cardiff Dave]

When I am home I try and time it so that Ebbw and Dragons have a home game then I can go and watch both.  There is still a lot of bitterness towards the Dragons/Regions on the terraces by people of my generation though the pre season friendly against the Saints built some bridges.

Talking to lads in the club house and friends/family etc they get annoyed that some of the boys aren't getting recognised by the Dragons but then as you said on the flip side they are glad they aren't as that way the coaches are able to select from a settled squad.

This might cheer them up, Bedford:

'Ebbw Vale centre Carl Meyer will feature for Newport Gwent Dragons in their LV= Cup clash against Exeter on Sunday as the region bolster their midfield ranks.

The South African has been training with the Dragons and is poised for a debut against the Chiefs at Rodney Parade.'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/11749522.Dragons_to_have_a_look_at_Ebbw_centre_Carl_Meyer_in_LV__Cup/

We've had one or two and I know Kingsley still has strong links with Ebbw Vale and the club itself, the Saints game was well supported better than most expected and I hope its not just a one off.

I hope it's not a one off, too.

I went up for it with the mrs and boy and really enjoyed it. Thought it was a success also and was very dissapointed to see such a negative write up in the argus from Kirwin.

I spend alot of time on Twitter reading guff from those who are only interested in furthering the standing of Newport, so its good to come on here and see some pro-regionalists for a change

But regionalism is a crock though.

[Cardiff Dave]

GD,

I still think a lot of it is a generation issue,

Kids being kids will always ask the awkward questions. They're inquisitive and want to know why this, why that and what's gone on before, so they can make sense of it all. Good on them.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I spend alot of time on Twitter reading guff from those who are only interested in furthering the standing of Newport, so its good to come on here and see some pro-regionalists for a change

But regionalism is a crock though.

Just because you haven't embraced it doesn't mean others haven't.

[bedfordwelsh]

GD,

I still think a lot of it is a generation issue,

Kids being kids will always ask the awkward questions. They're inquisitive and want to know why this, why that and what's gone on before, so they can make sense of it all. Good on them.

Kids will also want to go and see the Welsh Internationals play and for that they have to go to a Region.

[Guest]

When I am home I try and time it so that Ebbw and Dragons have a home game then I can go and watch both.  There is still a lot of bitterness towards the Dragons/Regions on the terraces by people of my generation though the pre season friendly against the Saints built some bridges.

Talking to lads in the club house and friends/family etc they get annoyed that some of the boys aren't getting recognised by the Dragons but then as you said on the flip side they are glad they aren't as that way the coaches are able to select from a settled squad.

This might cheer them up, Bedford:

'Ebbw Vale centre Carl Meyer will feature for Newport Gwent Dragons in their LV= Cup clash against Exeter on Sunday as the region bolster their midfield ranks.

The South African has been training with the Dragons and is poised for a debut against the Chiefs at Rodney Parade.'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/11749522.Dragons_to_have_a_look_at_Ebbw_centre_Carl_Meyer_in_LV__Cup/

We've had one or two and I know Kingsley still has strong links with Ebbw Vale and the club itself, the Saints game was well supported better than most expected and I hope its not just a one off.

I hope it's not a one off, too.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but it's still allowed to carry on!

I went up for it with the mrs and boy and really enjoyed it. Thought it was a success also and was very dissapointed to see such a negative write up in the argus from Kirwin.

I spend alot of time on Twitter reading guff from those who are only interested in furthering the standing of Newport, so its good to come on here and see some pro-regionalists for a change

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

[dragon999]

Regionalism is great! - As long as Newport is paying the bill,would be nice if the "region" put it's money where it's mouth is! - FAT CHANCE

[Cardiff Dave]

I spend alot of time on Twitter reading guff from those who are only interested in furthering the standing of Newport, so its good to come on here and see some pro-regionalists for a change

But regionalism is a crock though.

Just because you haven't embraced it doesn't mean others haven't.

Not sure what you mean.

[Cardiff Dave]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

[Guest]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

[Cardiff Dave]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

We don't have regional rugby though. Some continue to pretend we do, but in reality we don't. So yes it is wrong. Bonkers actually. Cardiff RFC are still running the show at CAP. Nobody else. That's the way it was set up way back in 2003 and btw, I had nothing to do with it, so don't blame me.

[The Saint]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

We don't have regional rugby though. Some continue to pretend we do, but in reality we don't. So yes it is wrong. Bonkers actually. Cardiff RFC are still running the show at CAP. Nobody else. That's the way it was set up way back in 2003 and btw, I had nothing to do with it, so don't blame me.

It's your fault tho.

[Guest]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

We don't have regional rugby though. Some continue to pretend we do, but in reality we don't. So yes it is wrong. Bonkers actually. Cardiff RFC are still running the show at CAP. Nobody else. That's the way it was set up way back in 2003 and btw, I had nothing to do with it, so don't blame me.

Eh?! Why would I blame you??? Odd comment.

Anyway, call it what you want. 'The thing that we have where a team is meant to cover a larger geographical area than the town in which it plays' - doesn't quite roll of the tongue - that 'thing' that we've got you don't like. We get that. Others do like it. Let them like it. If you don't then ignore it, like I do with F1!

[Cardiff Dave]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

We don't have regional rugby though. Some continue to pretend we do, but in reality we don't. So yes it is wrong. Bonkers actually. Cardiff RFC are still running the show at CAP. Nobody else. That's the way it was set up way back in 2003 and btw, I had nothing to do with it, so don't blame me.

Eh?! Why would I blame you??? Odd comment.

Anyway, call it what you want.  'The thing that we have where a team is meant to cover a larger geographical area than the town in which it plays' - doesn't quite roll of the tongue - that 'thing' that we've got you don't like. We get that. Others do like it. Let them like it. If you don't then ignore it, like I do with F1!

Call it, what it is would be better I reckon. End the aggro. A spade is a spade, as they say.

[Cardiff Dave]

But regionalism is a crock though.

So is Formula 1, in my opinion, but they still allow that to carry on!

Should reintroduce the gear stick, IMHO. And less of the computer controlled stuff might help.
Anyway, F1 doesn't seem to have a problem filling their venues at top dollar prices.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to think of an example of something I don't like. You don't like regional rugby. Doesn't mean it's wrong, IMO obvs.

We don't have regional rugby though. Some continue to pretend we do, but in reality we don't. So yes it is wrong. Bonkers actually. Cardiff RFC are still running the show at CAP. Nobody else. That's the way it was set up way back in 2003 and btw, I had nothing to do with it, so don't blame me.

It's your fault tho.

Of course. Goes without saying really.

[Cardiff Dave]

From Twitter today;
"I just think it would be more honest to have Cardiff and Newport. But that's just me."

[Luckless Pedestrian]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

[Cardiff Dave]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

I don't tweet. Never have.

[Guest]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

I don't tweet. Never have.

Whose tweet is it then?

[Cardiff Dave]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

I don't tweet. Never have.

Whose tweet is it then?

https://twitter.com/simonrug/with_replies

[Guest]

In other news the Dragons have announced that Stuart Davies, yes him off scrum v, will be our new Chief Exec. He hasn't quite got the business background that Gareh Davies had, or the experience. Seems to have good banter though, if that helps

[Guest]

Also, why are we using this 2013/14 thread. I'm sure I saw a 2014/15 one at the start of the season???!

[Cardiff Dave]

In other news the Dragons have announced that Stuart Davies, yes him off scrum v, will be our new Chief Exec. He hasn't quite got the business background that Gareh Davies had, or the experience. Seems to have good banter though, if that helps

Kingsley been on there too mind ewe. I maybe imagining it, but have any other reps from the other 3 appeared on BBC ScrumV recently?

[Guest]

i wouldn't expect Kingsley to get the chief exec job either. For me they seem to have replaced a fair well respected and experienced CEO who has held some pretty high positions in big organisations with a bloke off scrum V (sorry Stuart!). Anyone know about his credentials?

[Guest]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

I don't tweet. Never have.

Whose tweet is it then?

https://twitter.com/simonrug/with_replies

That's not showing anything to me, bar Simon Thomas' profile.

Ah, I see it now. Difficult to get the context from that. It's also very ignorant to the work Dragons do around the region.

[Guest]

Also, why are we using this 2013/14 thread. I'm sure I saw a 2014/15 one at the start of the season???!

Because the new one ran past 20 pages, I assume.

[Guest]

Nope, this one ran past 20 pages and a new one was started. 2014/15 is only 97 posts deep!

https://www.606v2.com/t54499-gwent-dragons-14-15?highlight=Dragons

[The Saint]

I never noticed tbh...

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Also, why are we using this 2013/14 thread. I'm sure I saw a 2014/15 one at the start of the season???!

Because last season was such a glorious one for the Dragons, especially the second half of it.

[GavinDragon]

if I was a business owner of the Dragons I would be looking to increase our fan and player base by doing as much to entice people from around gwent, no one can argue against the business case for doing so if you want to grow, IMO the Newport fans who refuse to support regionalism have already stopped attending and only chant 'dragons' anyway so you are not going to offend or pee off them

[Cardiff Dave]

From Twitter today:

"Fockin ell can't believe I ate a peice of paper so I gained immunity in English becaue we was playing Big Brother/I'm a celebrity"

Just because something's on Twitter doesn't make it profound. That could be one of your own tweets, for all I know.

I don't tweet. Never have.

Whose tweet is it then?

https://twitter.com/simonrug/with_replies

That's not showing anything to me, bar Simon Thomas' profile.

Ah, I see it now. Difficult to get the context from that. It's also very ignorant to the work Dragons do around the region.

Yeah you'd need to read the conversation to get the context and I wouldn't call him ignorant as he knows the score.

[Cardiff Dave]

if I was a business owner of the Dragons I would be looking to increase our fan and player base by doing as much to entice people from around gwent, no one can argue against the business case for doing so if you want to grow, IMO the Newport fans who refuse to support regionalism have already stopped attending and only chant 'dragons' anyway so you are not going to offend or pee off them

They could try what the Bloos did and offer free coach travel to and from rugby clubs anywhere within the region.

[bedfordwelsh]

if I was a business owner of the Dragons I would be looking to increase our fan and player base by doing as much to entice people from around gwent, no one can argue against the business case for doing so if you want to grow, IMO the Newport fans who refuse to support regionalism have already stopped attending and only chant 'dragons' anyway so you are not going to offend or pee off them

They could try what the Bloos did and offer free coach travel to and from rugby clubs anywhere within the region.

Isn't there or wasn't there a bus running from Rogerstone into Newport because otherwise those taht wanted to travel down on the Ebbw line had to go into Cardiff then across.

[Cardiff Dave]

if I was a business owner of the Dragons I would be looking to increase our fan and player base by doing as much to entice people from around gwent, no one can argue against the business case for doing so if you want to grow, IMO the Newport fans who refuse to support regionalism have already stopped attending and only chant 'dragons' anyway so you are not going to offend or pee off them

They could try what the Bloos did and offer free coach travel to and from rugby clubs anywhere within the region.

Isn't there or wasn't there a bus running from Rogerstone into Newport because otherwise those taht wanted to travel down on the Ebbw line had to go into Cardiff then across.

No idea mun, but the Bloos offer was only taken up by one club IIRC. A waste of time, effort and money if you ask me and entirely predictable. IMHO, what would be best for the Cardiff and Newport based pro set ups is to target those in the immediate vicinity and maybe those near to and on the beaten track. Friday night and Sunday afters fixtures can be awkward to get to with regards to public transport.

[bedfordwelsh]

The Dragons are doing a hell of a lot of work in the whole of Gwent and readily have coaching classes in the schools and a lot of the mascots/flag bearers for the games are from all over Gwent.

[Cardiff Dave]

The Dragons are doing a hell of a lot of work in the whole of Gwent and readily have coaching classes in the schools and a lot of the mascots/flag bearers for the games are from all over Gwent.

All 4 do the same.

[bedfordwelsh]

So why you saying they should concentrate on the immediate area when they are already doing work within the Region.

[Cardiff Dave]

So why you saying they should concentrate on the immediate area when they are already doing work within the Region.

Coz the "immediate area" is very different to a WRU made up region.

[bedfordwelsh]

Gwent though isn't a made up area and they do well in that area.

[Cardiff Dave]

I'm out.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31054126

I hope this is an additional player not a replacement....also think funds would have been better spent on either a ten or more front five players for depth

[dragon999]

Looks like Richie is off then so a replacement is needed & a good signing at that!

[wayne]

Looks like Richie is off then so a replacement is needed & a good signing at that!

Is that true about Richie, sad if it is, although this boy looks to be a good signing, you need competition to bring the best out of other players, them 2 with Evans could be a good battle.

[The Saint]

If true I would have rathered that we kept hold of Rees. Could do with additional props and another lock IMO. And possibly a fly-half.

[dragon999]

Writing has been on the wall with Richie for a while it seems - Lock,OH & prop will come in.

[The Saint]

Writing has been on the wall with Richie for a while it seems - Lock,OH & prop will come in.

Are you supposing, or are you in the know? Is Stankovich expected to play for us next season? I believe he had retired from playing when he come to us .

[dragon999]

Writing has been on the wall with Richie for a while it seems - Lock,OH & prop will come in.

Are you supposing, or are you in the know? Is Stankovich expected to play for us next season? I believe he had retired from playing when he come to us .

A gentleman never tells Saint - watch this space!

[Guest]

I'm sure I read somewhere that Jon Evs is off too. I can't find it now.

Good signing this. Probably going to have to sign another 9 too, judging by the way Richie has been treated.

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