Dragons vs Blues 27th December

Getting this one started early as it is my last working day today and I am bored stiff!

This one is going to be a cracker! Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe and also having a good December in general. A sell out crowd will add to the atmosphere and I cannot wait to get down to watch it.

Will post up the squads when announced, but from a Dragons perspective I would like to see the following squad:-

Meyer
Hewitt
Hughes
Warren
Prydie (if fit)
Jason
Sarel

Faletau
Griffiths
Evans
Hill
Landman
Brok
Dee
Boris

GavinDragon wrote:Getting this one started early as it is my last working day today and I am stiff!

Young man!

The "Region of Gwent" vs the "Region of Cardiff and Glamorganshire minus the 'Pontypridd Triangle' area of the North Cardiff valleys who don't want to join in the fun". Two old foes and South East Wales neighbours, divided by...... ermmm....... errrrr........ a line on the map, drawn in free hand by Roger Lewis in 2002. This has the makings of a classic: a marketing man's dream!

I jest though - looking forward to this. Should be good. Blues seem to have turned a bit of a corner while we're playing with a bit more confidence now, although Lyn's trying to talk us up as a team that only plays well in cups so this league match may be beyond our means or interest!

I'm going for a close Dragons win. Dragons 18-15 Blues.

It'll be a feisty affair I reckon and the Cardiff players will really want to be included in Wilson's squad next season.
I predict a Cardiff win with yellows a plenty.

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

You cruel sods!

GavinDragon wrote:Getting this one started early as it is my last working day today and I am bored stiff!

This one is going to be a cracker! Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe and also having a good December in general. A sell out crowd will add to the atmosphere and I cannot wait to get down to watch it.

Will post up the squads when announced, but from a Dragons perspective I would like to see the following squad:-

Meyer
Hewitt
Hughes
Warren
Prydie (if fit)
Jason
Sarel

Faletau
Griffiths
Evans
Hill
Landman
Brok
Dee
Boris

Unfortunately Tom Prydie has been ruled out for the season - big blow for him. Like to see Ross Wardle get a run of games & look forward to Hallam returning

Oh, what happened to Prydie?

Gavin I think you may have been right about Gill, that rumour is now doing the rounds online.

Tom has had/is having surgery for a knee injury

We've just shown a preview of a charity shirt, that we will be wearing for this game. First impression for me, is that I am a fan of it. Good cause anyway. Just need a win to make it more popular with people bidding.

http://bit.ly/1Zn3Fpt

dragon999 wrote:Tom has had/is having surgery for a knee injury

I can't be bothered to look now, but didn't we initially think he wasn't too badly hurt? Such rotten luck.

The day after Tom was carried off a statement was issued allaying fears but that proved unfounded as this has happened - real shame for Tom as he has been out for a lot of the season - really good player, all the best for a full recovery

I thought the same of the charity shirt - I also thought to myself that they should make something like that their permanent jersey.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

GavinDragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

Very good!

GavinDragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

Have they been winding you up?
Next, you'll be wishing that the bloos lose their games.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

Have they been winding you up?  
Next, you'll be wishing that the bloos lose their games.

Not out loud.

If Hewitt keeps his good form up then Eli Walker can say bye to his place in the Wales squad...

I've been meaning to get to Rodney parade for years, so happy to finally get tickets for it! Looking forward to a blues win....I hope and the Newport fans! Hate to admit it, but they are brilliant!

Hmmm. Blues and Newport. Seems likely.

If that's directed towards me then I don't care what they're called, not meaning to cause any offence (sorry if I have!) but just think the rugby is more important than the names! Still looking forward to it! Hopefully will be a cracker!

Gleision wrote:I've been meaning to get to Rodney parade for years, so happy to finally get tickets for it! Looking forward to a blues win....I hope and the Newport fans! Hate to admit it, but they are brilliant!

Ha-ha! Welcome to the board Gleision. You'll fit right in I reckon. Almost caused a riot already.

Now that Xmas is over (Hooray!), how's the shallow end looking at Dave Parade public baths?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

Have they been winding you up?  
Next, you'll be wishing that the bloos lose their games.

Not out loud.

I'd much prefer it if you lot were louder and maybe swung your pants while you're at it.

Gutted this is on S Pedwar C. Will have to go on internet blackout in work and watch "as live" on S4C Clic at half six. Does anybody know how long after games, they get put on Clic?

Risca Rev wrote:Gutted this is on S Pedwar C. Will have to go on internet blackout in work and watch "as live" on S4C Clic at half six. Does anybody know how long after games, they get put on Clic?

Rev it is on Sky Sports 4 as well, if that helps.

Nah, but thanks anyway.

Advantage Cardiff tomorrow

Dragons cross fingers that Taulupe Faletau, Sarel Pretorius and Boris Stankovich will be fit for Boxing Day derby v Blues.

Nick Webb on the 23rd.

Maybe didn't cross them properly.

Pitch is looking fairly wet obviously. Hopefully get a few forks in it.

Not confident today. Maybe it's a good thing I'm working, though I would love a bit of banter with Cuffbutt. Hope our halfbacks (CD and DJ) kick well and that we are as clinical as last week.

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The pitch first thing this morning. From the head groundsman's Twitter account

Think we are going to lose the gainline battle today.

Lewis Evans is not a prolific carrier of the ball in terms of metres gained. Cudd is a scavenger and Crosswell is not a ball carrying threat.

Glad we are starting Brok as he should shore up that side of the scrum.

Kicking game will be key today - and I think, given we have a slightly more experienced 10, we should edge that aspect.

Don't think it will be a festival of running rugby, but it will be a great atmosphere and a sell out crowd

Cardiff Dave wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

GavinDragon wrote:Both teams coming off the back off good wins against tough opposition in Europe

Well actually the Blues are coming off the back of a defeat.

So they did, my apologies for the inaccuracy of my post. I must have mistaken it for a moral victory based on the self congratulatory tweets of many Cardiff RFC fans on Twitter.

Have they been winding you up?  
Next, you'll be wishing that the bloos lose their games.

On a daily basis. Don't get Twitter. You post one tweet on Welsh rugby, come back to your phone an hour later with 58 notifications!

Come on Dragons, you can do this, send the Blues home crying with nothing.

Wonder how people's moods will drop down Rodney, when they hear the news I've been dropping subtle hints about. Big blow.

Risca Rev wrote:Wonder how people's moods will drop down Rodney, when they hear the news I've been dropping subtle hints about. Big blow.

Come on Rev, you should know by now I don't do subtle hints, make it obvious.

I can say now Chris Kirwan has said. Pretorious is out and Boris isn't fit to bench either. Massive blows, particularly Sarel. Charlie Davies starts and Shaun Knight comes onto the bench.

Charlie might have a knock also, so don't be surprised to see Lyn's boy get a good bit of action.

Hope this game is at least as half as good as the west derby then we we are in for a good game. Dragons by 3.

Great start by Dragons, Pratchel tackling weak.

The PlayerMic thing on SkySports is so pointless

Fish fillets the blue defence.

Oooooh,

No positive moments at all from the first 60m then they go and win it!

Cardiff Dave wrote:Fish fillets the blue defence.

First overlap you created all game, but needed us to be down to 14 to do it

P.s. Lewis Evans. What a tool!

Smash and grab alright- for three quarters of that game the Blues were abject. Then Lewis Evans gets himself sin-binned and what looked like a certain win slips away.

Griff wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Fish fillets the blue defence.

First overlap you created all game, but needed us to be down to 14 to do it

Aye and thought Cardiff were the worst team today. Didn't deserve to win really.

From once I agree with you Dave. But the scoreboard doesn't lie. Congrats.

Lewis Evans: Gifted them try, an easy conversion and then pretty much his absence gave them the overlap for the try. Grrrr.

Lewis Evans had a good game up until the daft yellow. Unlucky Dragons both teams improving, good game

Thought Ashton Hewitt looked good for us. As well as the try he was very elusive, pacy and strong in contact on the wing. Adam Warren looked decent at centre too.