Gwent Dragons 2013/14 thread

by Guest Tue 18 Jun 2013, 7:24 pm

A place for general Dragons chat, etc.

After renewing my season ticket recently, and with Lyn Jones being unveiled as the new DoR (yeah I know, some people thinks he's gash, but whatever), plus the training facilities at Ystrad Mynach, I feel a bit of a buzz and optimism around the Dragons. Saying that I do generally get a feeling of optimism pre season every year which usually goes by about mid October!

Just watched the Wales U20's get to the final of the Jnr World Championships and a couple of lads looked really good - Jack Dixon a rock in midfield, Hallam Amos an elusive runner at FB/wing and Ieuan Jones looking like a very good prospect at 8. Will be good to see how the go next season for the Dragons. I think their regional appearances have certainly helped them in this Jnr cup in terms of experience. Looking forward to seeing them play with the likes of Faletau, Coombes, Talei, T Rhys Thomas, etc. next season.

Anyone want to make a stab at our strongest matchday 15/23 for next season? Will have a stab myself after a bit of thought.

by snowy2 Tue 18 Jun 2013, 10:50 pm

Tim Ryans off to Coventry space for a french prop perhaps

by Guest Tue 18 Jun 2013, 11:53 pm

I wasn't going to get a season ticket, as I usually have to miss a lot of games with work, so was just going to get tickets for games I could attend. Because of the positivity that's about at the minute, I renewed too. I don't know how long it will last either (positivity), but it's a nice feeling after the dreadful season we've just had.

Hopefully the rumours of the Gwent Select game are true (at Pandy Park), so we can see how more professional our approach is this time.

by Stone Motif Wed 19 Jun 2013, 8:27 am

Our best 23 imo...

D. Evans, Prydie, Hughes, Dixon, Harries, Burton, Rees, Faletau, Talei, Waters, Mueller, Coombs, Buck*, Thomas, Price*. Reps Amos, Leach, S. Jones, J. Evans, I. Jones, Sidoli, Gus, Chapparo*, Coundley*

*Depending on whether all the anti-Dragons/NWQ Taliban who have never seen Chapparo play are right and he turns out to be another Alistair Lyons...

Still leaves us with Smith, W.F. Evans, Groves, A. Jones as experienced replacements plus decent newbies/time servers like Parry, Dee, Cudd, Poole, Wardle etc to fill any gaps. Only position I think we are worse in than last season is wing, but then we have better kicking options so hopefully less of an issue.

by pioden gorllewin Wed 19 Jun 2013, 3:10 pm

Stone Motif wrote:Our best 23 imo...

D. Evans, Prydie, Hughes, Dixon, Harries, Burton, Rees, Faletau, Talei, Waters, Mueller, Coombs, Buck*, Thomas, Price*. Reps Amos, Leach, S. Jones, J. Evans, I. Jones, Sidoli, Gus, Chapparo*, Coundley*

*Depending on whether all the anti-Dragons/NWQ Taliban who have never seen Chapparo play are right and he turns out to be another Alistair Lyons...

Still leaves us with Smith, W.F. Evans, Groves, A. Jones as experienced replacements plus decent newbies/time servers like Parry, Dee, Cudd, Poole, Wardle etc to fill any gaps. Only position I think we are worse in than last season is wing, but then we have better kicking options so hopefully less of an issue.

Do you see Lewis Evans making the 23? The guy has so much potential, hopefully he'll have a big season (& injury free season)

by Stone Motif Wed 19 Jun 2013, 3:34 pm

pioden gorllewin wrote:
Stone Motif wrote:Our best 23 imo...

D. Evans, Prydie, Hughes, Dixon, Harries, Burton, Rees, Faletau, Talei, Waters, Mueller, Coombs, Buck*, Thomas, Price*. Reps Amos, Leach, S. Jones, J. Evans, I. Jones, Sidoli, Gus, Chapparo*, Coundley*

*Depending on whether all the anti-Dragons/NWQ Taliban who have never seen Chapparo play are right and he turns out to be another Alistair Lyons...

Still leaves us with Smith, W.F. Evans, Groves, A. Jones as experienced replacements plus decent newbies/time servers like Parry, Dee, Cudd, Poole, Wardle etc to fill any gaps. Only position I think we are worse in than last season is wing, but then we have better kicking options so hopefully less of an issue.

Do you see Lewis Evans making the 23? The guy has so much potential, hopefully he'll have a big season (& injury free season)

Ah yes, our illustrious captain...I rate Shanks more than Lydiate in terms of his all round game but I think he's one of these players damned by his own utility. Arguably better than Talei or I. Jones but also I just don't know where his head will be at having shouldered the thankless task of skippering the worst team in the UK for the past season. Can no longer be sure of starting imo which is a real shame. Lewis could/should have had the caps wasted on Turnbull, McCusker and Pretorius if you ask me so I hope he can nail a starting spot and get back to his best.

by pioden gorllewin Wed 19 Jun 2013, 3:57 pm

see him in the gym a fair bit, was surprised he's actually a lot bigger than I though he was. hopefully the challenge of making the dragons back row will only make him a better player this season coming. agreed he has a lot more potential/raw material than turnbull, gog & Pretorius.

by Guest Wed 19 Jun 2013, 4:07 pm

Stone Motif wrote:Our best 23 imo...

D. Evans, Prydie, Hughes, Dixon, Harries, Burton, Rees, Faletau, Talei, Waters, Mueller, Coombs, Buck*, Thomas, Price*. Reps Amos, Leach, S. Jones, J. Evans, I. Jones, Sidoli, Gus, Chapparo*, Coundley*

*Depending on whether all the anti-Dragons/NWQ Taliban who have never seen Chapparo play are right and he turns out to be another Alistair Lyons...

Still leaves us with Smith, W.F. Evans, Groves, A. Jones as experienced replacements plus decent newbies/time servers like Parry, Dee, Cudd, Poole, Wardle etc to fill any gaps. Only position I think we are worse in than last season is wing, but then we have better kicking options so hopefully less of an issue.

I think I would go for Lewis Evans over Waters at 7, although I'd have to see Evans a few more times at 7 to decide. I like the look of a backrow of Talei, Evans and Faletau.

I also like your backs but I wonder if we're a bit lightweight there. I'm a fan of a wrecking ball centre (Scott Gibbs being my favourite player of old) to compliment a line runner like Hughes. Assuming Tuilagi is gone then it would be good to recruit a good player at 12 to give a bit of ballast to our back line (Nonu would do!). Dixon is a little way off yet, but looks to have the physical attributes to develop into the sort of player I like in the back line.

What I like about the squad is there is some real competiition for places all of a sudden, and not just academy boys filling gaps. I mean, looking at the squad Stone has put up there's no space Lewis Evans, Lewis Robling, etc. That's great in a way as they'll really have to fight to get in and I reckon they can and will (Robling as a centre though IMO). I think we just need to add a bit more front row experience and ability, just good enough to shore up rather than destroy the opposition will do, and perhaps some more second row options as Sid and Adam haven't got much left in the tank, and I think we'll be sorted.

by Stone Motif Wed 19 Jun 2013, 4:21 pm

Not sold on Lewis as a seven, even if he's clearly a 6 and a bit. With Toby and Talei we have two good carriers so can afford a specialist. Unfortunately as you say probably Lewis's easiest way back into the side is openside flanker, which I'd say was his least effective position.

by LordDowlais Wed 19 Jun 2013, 4:47 pm

Stone Motif wrote:Our best 23 imo...

D. Evans, Prydie, Hughes, Dixon, Harries, Burton, Rees, Faletau, Talei, Waters, Mueller, Coombs, Buck*, Thomas, Price*. Reps Amos, Leach, S. Jones, J. Evans, I. Jones, Sidoli, Gus, Chapparo*, Coundley*

*Depending on whether all the anti-Dragons/NWQ Taliban who have never seen Chapparo play are right and he turns out to be another Alistair Lyons...

Still leaves us with Smith, W.F. Evans, Groves, A. Jones as experienced replacements plus decent newbies/time servers like Parry, Dee, Cudd, Poole, Wardle etc to fill any gaps. Only position I think we are worse in than last season is wing, but then we have better kicking options so hopefully less of an issue.

I thought that Talei was an 8, so how could he play in the same side as Faletau ? Unless he is versatile and can play along the back three.

by Stone Motif Wed 19 Jun 2013, 5:33 pm

6 or 8 Lord D

by dragon999 Thu 20 Jun 2013, 9:58 am

I don't see Lewis as a 7 either, Darren Waters & Nic Cudd to fight it out for the jersey - excellent players both

by Welshmushroom Thu 20 Jun 2013, 10:16 am

We missed Waters a lot last season. Very abrasive and just plain tough. Non nonsense openside and a lot better than Cudd. For me our best side will look like this:-

1. Williams
2. Thomas
3. Buck
4. Nimmo
5. Muller
6. Coombs
7. Waters
8. Falatau
9. Rees
10. Burton
11. Amos
12. Hughes
13. Dixon
14. Prydie
15. Evans

by dragon999 Thu 20 Jun 2013, 10:50 am

Not Bad mushroom but surely Telai will be at 6 , Coombes in second row with Muller & either Owen Evans or Phil Price at loose head ahead of Nathan Williams

by Stone Motif Thu 20 Jun 2013, 10:56 am

Hughes and Dixon arse about face there surely Mushroom? Also big call on Nimmo, long way off in my opinion...

by pioden gorllewin Thu 20 Jun 2013, 12:04 pm

Nimmo is playing for a contract renewal, so I expect him to up his game next season. My team would be:

1 Price
2 Thomas
3 Chapporo
4 Muller
5 Coombes
6 Telai/Lewis
7 Waters
8 Faletau
9 Rees
10 Burton
11 Amos
12 Dixon
13 Hughes
14 Prydie
15 Evans

Looking at that team, I'd say Dragons could do with another experienced centre if Tuilagi has gone. Robling and Wardle have plenty of potential. But a hard running experienced Hudson Tonga'uiha (someone of that sort), would give the youngsters a bit of a rest bite during a long hard season.

by LordDowlais Thu 20 Jun 2013, 12:32 pm

Stone Motif wrote:6 or 8 Lord D

Ahh, that explains it then, although he would probably be one of the biggest no. 6's in the league.

by snowy2 Fri 21 Jun 2013, 3:01 pm

Seems like it's Tovey to Drags from Monday can't believe they would waste money on him when we appear to have plenty of cover in his playing positions.

by bedfordwelsh Fri 21 Jun 2013, 10:37 pm

I think getting Lyn Jones in is a great move and if we can tempt Kingsley along even part time then all the better, still not sure about keeping Edwards on and wish we had got Howarth in.

I have said before that I think we could have a damn good crack at the Amlin if we concentrated our efforts there and would love Lyn to have a go at it.

On the playing front then we will always struggle up front until we get some decent top level props in, we seem to have lots of cover at back row and have a good young set of backs.

by GavinDragon Fri 21 Jun 2013, 10:39 pm

who is your source snowy id like to see him back although agree perhaps we dont need him at present

by GavinDragon Fri 21 Jun 2013, 10:41 pm

i have seen a couple on dragged up complaining that he refers to us as 'gwent dragons' he has always done this. while i dont want this thread to de-rail into that sort of argument i am interested to see if anyone is particularly bothered by this?

for me its not an issue however if he doesnt bring success will it bring more pressure on him from the section of fans who dont like us being referred to as gwent dragons?

by snowy2 Fri 21 Jun 2013, 11:10 pm

Can't say Gavin but can tell you Dan Evans Leg/ankle is in plaster so it starts to make sense as to why.

by GavinDragon Fri 21 Jun 2013, 11:12 pm

so he is coming back to play full back for us?

by snowy2 Fri 21 Jun 2013, 11:17 pm

Well it makes sense if Amos and pridie are late back.

by GavinDragon Fri 21 Jun 2013, 11:21 pm

yea from our point of view it does, its just he left us to play at a region with better facilities and i know we have ystrad on its way but i cant imagine itd be enough to attract him back from cardiff unless it was to develop at 10

unless hes had a major falling out with phil davies?

or he is due to play 10 and stef at 15?

by bedfordwelsh Sat 22 Jun 2013, 12:25 am

If he does come back then he's given up pretty quickly really, I know Patchell has come through so is he maybe coming back thinking he will be No1 again for us?

by Guest Sat 22 Jun 2013, 2:13 am

I haven't heard he has definitely signed, so not sure he has. I know he is keen. He's a proud man of Gwent at the end of the day and still watches a lot of grass root rugby in his region. That said, I am not sure he is coming back as nobody is really picking up on it and he is back training for the Blouse

by Guest Sat 22 Jun 2013, 9:20 am

I heard that he didn't used to get on with Phil Davies due to a falling out with the U20s. I think he was not picked for the Jnr Championships or 6N or something. Now PD is the Blues head honcho and Tovey is again not selected much, and being bumped down the pecking order by a 19 year old, then maybe the old problems have resurfaced.

Personally, and I'm sure I'll get slated for this, I was never a huge fan of him at the dragons. Seemed one of those slightly lazy players, a bit like Henson. when it wasn't going his way he didn't seem to want to get stuck in for me. And he was a bit inconsistent. Just not my sort of player I guess. It didn't surprise me that he didn't all of a sudden set the world on fire and break into the welsh squad since joining the Blues (as was the plan). Just couldn't see it to be honest. Not that keen to see him back - not because he left under a cloud but just because I don't think he'll bring much to the team. And if he's coming as fullback then I think his relative lack of pace from that position will weaken us there (compared to Dan Evans/Prydie/Amos in the same position).

by Guest Sat 22 Jun 2013, 9:22 am

GavinDragon wrote:i have seen a couple on dragged up complaining that he refers to us as 'gwent dragons' he has always done this. while i dont want this thread to de-rail into that sort of argument i am interested to see if anyone is particularly bothered by this?

for me its not an issue however if he doesnt bring success will it bring more pressure on him from the section of fans who dont like us being referred to as gwent dragons?

Are there really fans at RP who want us to be called Newport? That's not what I hear either in chanting, talking to fans or on forums like this or draggedup. It's all Gwent as far as I can tell. Can't see Lyn calling us Gwent being a problem!

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Jun 2013, 2:02 pm

snowy2 wrote:Seems like it's Tovey to Drags from Monday can't believe they would waste money on him when we appear to have plenty of cover in his playing positions.

I've yurd that the Monday press conference is to unveil Kingsley Jones?

by Stone Motif Sat 22 Jun 2013, 2:07 pm

Griff wrote:

Personally, and I'm sure I'll get slated for this, I was never a huge fan of him at the dragons. Seemed one of those slightly lazy players, a bit like Henson. when it wasn't going his way he didn't seem to want to get stuck in for me. And he was a bit inconsistent. Just not my sort of player I guess. It didn't surprise me that he didn't all of a sudden set the world on fire and break into the welsh squad since joining the Blues (as was the plan). Just couldn't see it to be honest. Not that keen to see him back - not because he left under a cloud but just because I don't think he'll bring much to the team. And if he's coming as fullback then I think his relative lack of pace from that position will weaken us there (compared to Dan Evans/Prydie/Amos in the same position).

Totally agree Griff. To be fair coming back to Gwent would take cojones but that in itself might just say no-one else is particularly interested. I used to think he had international potential but as time wore on I realised more and more he was being made to look good by the workaholic brick shathouse on his best kicking side.

by dragon4life Sat 22 Jun 2013, 7:55 pm

Any news about hudson tonga'huia coming in?

by dragon999 Sat 22 Jun 2013, 8:21 pm

If Tovey is coming back i don't think we'll get Hudon but Tim Ryan going has freed up a place for Franck?

by dragon4life Sat 22 Jun 2013, 8:32 pm

We dont need a 10 and we are good for fullback so why we signing back tovey?

by dragon999 Sat 22 Jun 2013, 8:57 pm

dragon4life wrote:We dont need a 10 and we are good for fullback so why we signing back tovey?

I think i agree d4l

by Guest Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:09 am

Is Hudson any good though? I wouldn't want us signing him just for the name, because his brother is good. We did that with Tuilagi, buying into the family name, and it turned out to be a less than inspiring signing (not terrible but not a success either).

by dragon4life Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:24 am

Hudson Tonga'uiha at London Welsh - YouTube

Paste this into youtube and stuart barnes is talking about him. Hes a strong ball carrier in attack. Lacks fittness so a bit sloppy in defence

by GavinDragon Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:24 am

Griff wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:i have seen a couple on dragged up complaining that he refers to us as 'gwent dragons' he has always done this. while i dont want this thread to de-rail into that sort of argument i am interested to see if anyone is particularly bothered by this?

for me its not an issue however if he doesnt bring success will it bring more pressure on him from the section of fans who dont like us being referred to as gwent dragons?

Are there really fans at RP who want us to be called Newport? That's not what I hear either in chanting, talking to fans or on forums like this or draggedup. It's all Gwent as far as I can tell. Can't see Lyn calling us Gwent being a problem!

Ok when I say a couple I read one post about him calling us Gwent I just wondered whether any shared that view, I know Dragons are chanted at Rodney Parade

by dragon4life Sun 23 Jun 2013, 1:44 pm

Are they going to put a roof on the north terrace?

by The Saint Sun 23 Jun 2013, 2:01 pm

Griff wrote:I heard that he didn't used to get on with Phil Davies due to a falling out with the U20s. I think he was not picked for the Jnr Championships or 6N or something. Now PD is the Blues head honcho and Tovey is again not selected much, and being bumped down the pecking order by a 19 year old, then maybe the old problems have resurfaced.

Personally, and I'm sure I'll get slated for this, I was never a huge fan of him at the dragons. Seemed one of those slightly lazy players, a bit like Henson. when it wasn't going his way he didn't seem to want to get stuck in for me. And he was a bit inconsistent. Just not my sort of player I guess. It didn't surprise me that he didn't all of a sudden set the world on fire and break into the welsh squad since joining the Blues (as was the plan). Just couldn't see it to be honest. Not that keen to see him back - not because he left under a cloud but just because I don't think he'll bring much to the team. And if he's coming as fullback then I think his relative lack of pace from that position will weaken us there (compared to Dan Evans/Prydie/Amos in the same position).

Tovey was playing a lot of rugby with the Dragons back then. You should have seen the guff PD selected ahead of him at 10. We had some of our worst U20 results under Phil so I don't know how he is still coaching.

by dragon4life Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:20 pm

What happend to dan evans?

by snowy2 Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:33 pm

Don't know but he is wearing one of those big orthopedic type boot. No info coming out about it though was it an operation or injury who knows ???

by dragon4life Sun 23 Jun 2013, 8:40 pm

Thanks for the update

by Guest Mon 24 Jun 2013, 9:33 am

I went over to Rodney Parade (RP) a while back and the pitch was up. None of that fancy 4G stuff being laid but I think they were sorting out the drainage, etc. I think the Dragons/Newport/whoever owns RP has been quite canny - apparently, because Newport County use RP and they are now in the football league, and therefore have certain criteria they need to meet, RP was able to apply for a grant from the football league to pay for pitch improvements to bring them up to standard. Therefore, the rugby side of things is improved for free! Good work RP (is it Brown who owns the ground and pitch, etc? If so, good move Brown).

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 24 Jun 2013, 9:36 am

GavinDragon wrote:
Griff wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:i have seen a couple on dragged up complaining that he refers to us as 'gwent dragons' he has always done this. while i dont want this thread to de-rail into that sort of argument i am interested to see if anyone is particularly bothered by this?

for me its not an issue however if he doesnt bring success will it bring more pressure on him from the section of fans who dont like us being referred to as gwent dragons?

Are there really fans at RP who want us to be called Newport? That's not what I hear either in chanting, talking to fans or on forums like this or draggedup. It's all Gwent as far as I can tell. Can't see Lyn calling us Gwent being a problem!

Ok when I say a couple I read one post about him calling us Gwent I just wondered whether any shared that view, I know Dragons are chanted at Rodney Parade

I don't know anyone who has a problem with this.

by snowy2 Mon 24 Jun 2013, 9:48 am

Tovey signed Goughy next !!!

by Stone Motif Mon 24 Jun 2013, 10:57 am

I'd heard the rumour about Goughy, he's passed his best but it never sat right with me him playing for the O's. The latest player to enjoy an Indian Summer at the Dragons I wonder?

by Guest Mon 24 Jun 2013, 11:07 am

As much as I rate Gough he's 36 (37 in Nov). That's 3 years on Sid and 4 on Adam Jones. Will he still be able to compete at the highest level?

by snowy2 Mon 24 Jun 2013, 11:53 am

Does'nt make sense to me either we have 5 second rows now.

by youngguns6 Mon 24 Jun 2013, 12:21 pm

I'm split on the Tovey signing. I've seen him have some phenomenal games, he's looked this most talented 10 in Wales at times. His vision, his kicking and his all round game oozes class. He can't defend but I don't care. BUT he left and moved to our biggest rivals!!!!

Not sure why we would want Goughie at that age.. We want to build a competitive squad but how long can he carry on for?!

Things are looking very positive. 3/4 Welsh region next season... Easy.

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