Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[dragon4life]

First topic message reminder :

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

[Stone Motif]

yep 1330 against a capacity of 1570, about 81% full. Be nice if we could regularly achieve that rate of attendance in RP.

Plenty of locals up there as well. They had sengenydd u7 - u10's as the guard of honor and some littl sneggy player was screaming for the dragons - in my ear - all evening. Maybe we have caught a few new fans young eh?

Still good to know if RP is frozen solid we wont have to pay the turks to use their ground. Wouldnt mind seeing a few A games up Ystrad. Penalta RFC  just up the corner, very nice clubhouse and very welcoming people.

And it's a whopper!

[Steffan]

Where is Saint? Has he retired from the forum or something?

[Stone Motif]

Where is Saint? Has he retired from the forum or something?

Been signed up by the Western Fail as a special reporter for the world cup on the back of his analysis on here

[munkian]

Dixon may well get a run out against the Turks according to the Argus - he's done enough conditioning !

They will be a fairly depleted squad I guess

No Sanjay, Gareth Davies, Jake Ball, Ken Owens plus any other countries Internationals.

Who would people like to see have a run out for us ?

[GavinDragon]

I would like to see our strongest sign out

[munkian]

I would like to see our strongest sign out

Well, we'll be missing Faletau and Amos so I guess Croswell and Brew may replace them.

I doubt Pretorious will play yet - just finished busy season in the SH.

[Stone Motif]

I would like to see our strongest sign out

Dunno about that, Lyn chucking out our best side in nothing games has cost us dear in the past.

Development XV all the way.

[munkian]

But then our first choice team has had 0 games playing together ? There has to be some middle ground shewerly ?

[mikey_dragon]

Best available team give or take a couple players should play in the next two games for me; but I'd also like to see us utilise the whole bench so everybody can get a run.

Who do play in the first game of the season?

[munkian]

Craggy Island away I think

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Without a TMO, no doubt.

[Stone Motif]

But then our first choice team has had 0 games playing together ? There has to be some middle ground shewerly ?

I'd rather they were rusty than on the physio table.

[Stone Motif]

But then our first choice team has had 0 games playing together ? There has to be some middle ground shewerly ?

I'd rather they were rusty than on the physio table.

[LordDowlais]

Where is Saint? Has he retired from the forum or something?

I think he might be banned. I know he has been given bans before, or perhaps he is taking a sabbatical. It's a shame really, because when you got passed his arrogance and managed to have a decent debate with him he could at times be tidy, and to be fair, he knows his rugby, I will miss arguing with him.

[GavinDragon]

Id go with the following against the turks

15. Meyer
14. Pewtner
13. Wardle
12. Dixon
11. Brew
10. Tovey
9. Davies

8. Jackson
7. Cudd
6. Evans
5. Landman
4. Davies
3. Knight
2. Dee
1. Garrett

[munkian]

Without a TMO, no doubt.

As always, the crowd are their TMO

Need to get our rolling maul going against the Turks, especially with them missing a few forwards

[Luckless Pedestrian]

They leaked a lot of points against Jersey on the weekend, but having said that, I don't know what sort of team they put out.

[munkian]

They leaked a lot of points against Jersey on the weekend, but having said that, I don't know what sort of team they put out.

King was playing

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/games/7442.php

[LordDowlais]

They leaked a lot of points against Jersey on the weekend, but having said that, I don't know what sort of team they put out.

King was playing

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/games/7442.php

That report sounds quite impressive, it must be a typical one eyed turk report.

But seriously though, putting 40 points on Jersey in pre-season is not bad going. They love their rugby down there and they will be hurting after that. Sounds as though Regan King and Morgan Allen had a good game, all be it through the eyes of the Scarlets website.

[munkian]

Yup - was just trying to see what forwards were playing, think they conceded 2 tries to rolling mauls.

[mikey_dragon]

Id go with the following against the turks

15. Meyer
14. Pewtner
13. Wardle
12. Dixon
11. Brew
10. Tovey
9. Davies

8. Jackson
7. Cudd
6. Evans
5. Landman
4. Davies
3. Knight
2. Dee
1. Garrett

Some of those lot are fresh out of the academy, but I'd go with that. Would you have Stankovich, TRT, Harris and Thomas on the bench?

[GavinDragon]

I would like to see how garret goes with a competent 3 and beefy second row behind him.

[mikey_dragon]

I haven't really seen much of these young lads, apart from guys like Joe Davies and Ollie Griffiths whom I rate highly. Was Davies the big lump you were referring to? If him and the Ospreys pair continue to kick on Wales should be good at lock for a few years! On that note I rate Hewitt too and would like to see more of him.

[munkian]

Dorian and Griffiths both played v well in the 7s

[GavinDragon]

Yes he was the lump I was referring to.

[GavinDragon]

I am genuinely torn when it comes to Dorian. I have seen him play fairly well with the boot and play flat to the gainline. However, I have seen him miss some very easy one up tackles.

Griffiths will end up being a more than able understudy to Cudd this season.

I still think Tovey is our best fly half, he just needs to find his form and be given a run of games in the team.

[mikey_dragon]

What were the Sevens results?

Yes hopefully he will be an understudy to Cudd GD. We need a back-up 7 who can actually compete at the breakdown.

[Guest]

Think Benjamin will still be the next in line to Cudd. I also think Dorian is going to remain first choice at ten.

[Stone Motif]

http://m.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/13613445.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Prudent_for_supporters_to_scrutinise_board_over_Newport_Gwent_Dragons____direction/

This

[GavinDragon]

One man's opinion. And I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport. Only sad, narrow minded parochial people stuck in the amateur era mindset would see gwent as something in direct competition to newport.

However, I do wish the board would show some balls and make a decision one way or the other. The fudge just continues to divide

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport.

That's what I don't understand. Newport is (or was) part of Gwent. It's included. And the Dragons play in Newport, so it's not as though Newport die-hards have further to travel now.

[Stone Motif]

One man's opinion. And I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport. Only sad, narrow minded parochial people stuck in the amateur era mindset would see gwent as something in direct competition to newport.

However, I do wish the board would show some balls and make a decision one way or the other. The fudge just continues to divide

Like Stade Francais, Newcastle, Wasps and our main sponsors, BT frickin' Sport?

I think what is sad, narrow minded parochial and amateurish is slavishly assuming that selling a few extra tickets in Senghenydd is the only way pro rugby at Rodney Parade can achieve commercial success.

[Stone Motif]

I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport.

That's what I don't understand. Newport is (or was) part of Gwent. It's included. And the Dragons play in Newport, so it's not as though Newport die-hards have further to travel now.

That'll be the point missed then

[munkian]

Anyway, back to the actual rugby

Extended squad announced

Forwards:

Luke Garrett, Phil Price, Boris Stankovich, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Hugh Gustafson, Elliot Dee, Shaun Knight, Lloyd Fairbrother, Alex Jeffries, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman, Matthew Screech, Joe Davies, Lewis Evans, James Thomas, Ollie Griffiths, James Benjamin, Nic Cudd, Nick Crosswell, Ed Jackson.

Backs:

Geraint Rhys Jones, Carl Meyer, Tom Prydie, Matthew Pewtner, Nick Scott, Barney Nightingale, Adam Warren, Ross Wardle, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Aled Brew, Dorian Jones, Angus O’Brien, Jason Tovey, Charlie Davies, Luc Jones, Sarel Pretorius.

[Stone Motif]

If Stank gets broken we are Frak for the season

[munkian]

Lets not play him at all then and save him for next season

[mikey_dragon]

Amos spent most (or all) of last season on the wing. Does anybody think he may, or should, feature at full back for the Dragons this coming season? Maybe he can be rotated around Prydie.

[munkian]

Meyer seems rather tidy there too mind - huge boot on him.

[mikey_dragon]

How could I let Meyer slip my mind... It's nice to have a bit of depth in the back 3! So I guess Lyn would like to keep Amos as a specialist winger then - but I'd still like to see him feature there now and again. I think the squad is looking decent and is giving me reason to be optimistic...but I said that last season.

[Stone Motif]

Lets not play him at all then and save him for next season

Or, we could play him in a game that means something

[munkian]

Lets not play him at all then and save him for next season

Or, we could play him in a game that means something

With no match fitness so hes more likely to get injured ? He's not BOD

[Stone Motif]

Lets not play him at all then and save him for next season

Or, we could play him in a game that means something

With no match fitness so hes more likely to get injured ? He's not BOD

Come off it. His first job is to stop Phil Price getting marmalised by opposition props from the first whistle and he's about 307.

[mikey_dragon]

Anyone else hate Friday night games? Well I wouldn't say hate, I do like a bit of rugby action before Saturday, but it makes it difficult to attend a live game. I swear this season we have a record amount of Friday night games...

[munkian]

Anyone else hate Friday night games? Well I wouldn't say hate, I do like a bit of rugby action before Saturday, but it makes it difficult to attend a live game. I swear this season we have a record amount of Friday night games...

Not as many as Ulster I assume ?

Stone - Cant really see any coach saying to his team - right, everyone run up those sand dunes, we've got a pre season game tomorrow - except you mate, put your feet up, you are invaluable.

[Stone Motif]

Anyone else hate Friday night games? Well I wouldn't say hate, I do like a bit of rugby action before Saturday, but it makes it difficult to attend a live game. I swear this season we have a record amount of Friday night games...

Not as many as Ulster I assume ?  

Stone - Cant really see any coach saying to his team - right, everyone run up those sand dunes, we've got a pre season game tomorrow - except you mate, put your feet up, you are invaluable.

No, except every coach in the land does exactly that each and every season.

And most of them have more than one competent senior loose head in their squads.

[Guest]

Funny really, as a Sunday game or even a Saturday (now I'm injured and can't play) would be spot on for me this weekend. Can't make tomorrow.

Saw a preview of the new first choice kit today. Tiny bit more amber, which will probably get some excited about black and amber, but it actually adds to it (in my opinion) how they've done it. For a Gilbert one I really like it. Just happy to have it out on time and pretty much before the other pro teams too. Looks like the tag line I liked on the collar is gone now too.

[GavinDragon]

One man's opinion. And I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport. Only sad, narrow minded parochial people stuck in the amateur era mindset would see gwent as something in direct competition to newport.

However, I do wish the board would show some balls and make a decision one way or the other. The fudge just continues to divide

Like Stade Francais, Newcastle, Wasps and our main sponsors, BT frickin' Sport?

I think what is sad, narrow minded parochial and amateurish is slavishly assuming that selling a few extra tickets in Senghenydd is the only way pro rugby at Rodney Parade can achieve commercial success.

it obviously isn't. But I also doubt that there are thousands of fans from Newport who don't turn up each week because there is Gwent in the title

[GavinDragon]

Funny really, as a Sunday game or even a Saturday (now I'm injured and can't play) would be spot on for me this weekend. Can't make tomorrow.

Saw a preview of the new first choice kit today. Tiny bit more amber, which will probably get some excited about black and amber, but it actually adds to it (in my opinion) how they've done it. For a Gilbert one I really like it. Just happy to have it out on time and pretty much before the other pro teams too. Looks like the tag line I liked on the collar is gone now too.

where did you see this rev?

[munkian]

Scarlets team to take on Newport Gwent Dragons, Friday 21st August KO 7pm at Rodney Parade;

15 Steff Evans, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Regan King, 12 Gareth Owen, 11 Hadleigh Parkes [c], 10 Steven Shingler, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Dylan Evans, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Lewis Rawlins, 5 Tom Price, 6 Tom Phillips, 7 James Davies, 8 Morgan Allen

Replacements; Emyr Phillips, Ben Leung, Will Taylor, George Earle, Will Boyde, Rhodri Williams, Dan Jones, Ioan Nicholas, Jack Jones, Aled Thomas

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't get why by marketing ro Gwent you automatically alienate Newport.

That's what I don't understand. Newport is (or was) part of Gwent. It's included. And the Dragons play in Newport, so it's not as though Newport die-hards have further to travel now.

That'll be the point missed then

Excuse me, I'm from Newport and I don't feel the slightest bit alienated by the Dragons embracing Gwent. I know others from Newport who feel the same. Please, explain to me what point I'm missing and why I should feel alienated. And try to do it without the completely unnecessary haughtiness.

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