Gwent Dragons 2013/14 thread

by Guest Wed 19 Jun - 4:24

First topic message reminder :

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 dragon999 Mon 24 Jun - 21:49

Todays announcements are significant in a new dawn at RP - a bit of ambition at last - if we get Hudson & Franck, Dragons will be much more competative (not world beaters) but so much better - Goffey,not too sure about,hoping that the deal with Muller hasn't fallen through?
kind of in a rugby daze today - not to mention Danny skippering the Lions WOW

by dragon4life Tue 25 Jun - 1:43

1.Price
2.Thomas
3.Chapparo
4.Coombs
5.Muller
6.Talei
7.Evans
8.Falateu
9.Rees
10.Tovey
11.Amos
12.Dixon
13.Leach
14.Prydie
15.Evans
Bench: Parry, Buck, Way, Nimmo, Waters, J.Evans, Burton, Harris

My starting 15 with subs
Thoughts?

by youngguns6 Tue 25 Jun - 4:21

Wouldn't grumble if I was heading over to see that team.
I'd might be tempted to get Hughes involved somewhere.
You can see why we signed Burton and Rees, such little experience in the backline.

Going to be a great battle for the 9 and 10 spots.

by dragon999 Tue 25 Jun - 4:44

dragon4life wrote:1.Price
2.Thomas
3.Chapparo
4.Coombs
5.Muller
6.Talei
7.Evans
8.Falateu
9.Rees
10.Tovey
11.Amos
12.Dixon
13.Leach
14.Prydie
15.Evans
Bench: Parry, Buck, Way, Nimmo, Waters, J.Evans, Burton, Harris

My starting 15 with subs
Thoughts?

Lewis Evans is not a 7 - got to be Waters or Cudd - difficult to argue with the rest:D

by dragon4life Tue 25 Jun - 6:28

When are they putting a roof on north terrace?

by The Saint Tue 25 Jun - 6:42

Talei will be an impact sub. That 6 jersey belongs to Evans.

by dragon4life Tue 25 Jun - 6:44

I think talei will be 8 most of the time because falateau will hardly be there

by Stone Motif Tue 25 Jun - 6:52

dragon4life wrote:I think talei will be 8 most of the time because falateau will hardly be there

Actually Toby is one of the few Team Wales players who pays his regional dues. His recovery powers are freakish apparently, Warburton reckoned he doesn't even ache after a game. He will turn out for the Dragons a fair bit next season don't worry.

by youngguns6 Tue 25 Jun - 8:32

We seem to have some genuine selection headaches.
Backrow and halfbacks are looking very strong to me. Centres don't look the best but we've only seen them behind a beaten pack with bad ball. I really hope we get back to playing good rugby this season. Hopefully players like J Evans will keep progressing and claim a Welsh spot.

by youngguns6 Tue 25 Jun - 8:36

Can anyone tell me what J Tovey and DE's relationship is like?

DE stopped playing him to let steff and Lewis get some game time once jase had decided he was off.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 25 Jun - 16:47

Youngguns, I think that was just a sensible decision with the future in mind rather than spite. He knew he'd be without Tovey, so he wanted to see which of Steffan and Lewis weould be the better selection for the following season. That's how I saw it, anyway.

by munkian Tue 25 Jun - 18:25

Agree on Faletau, he wanted to play for the Dragons as soon as he returned from the RWC but the coaches had to tell him to get some rest, the man is a machine.

by munkian Tue 25 Jun - 18:33

dragon4life wrote:When are they putting a roof on north terrace?

Basically if the council agree that county can take the one off their old ground and move it to the Dave thumbsup

by youngguns6 Tue 25 Jun - 19:06

Luckless, yeah I saw it that way to but I do recall Tovey winging on twitter about not playing.

Let's get the boring lions done n get this exciting season started! Whistle

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 25 Jun - 19:25

I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

by dragon4life Tue 25 Jun - 20:39

Is Darren Edwards still head coach? or has he moved to backs coach

by dragon999 Tue 25 Jun - 20:43

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

I'm in the Bisley - love it there,best move i ever made - the hospitality bolt on is good too as we have access to a bar & food.Atmosphere is fine

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 25 Jun - 20:50

I'm going to be in block D this coming season, which is quite central. I paid a fiver to upgrade to the Bisley for one match a season or two ago and we were out towards the North stand, they weren't great seats and it was quieter than I was used to. But it didn't take half as long to get served!

by Guest Tue 25 Jun - 20:51

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I can't wait for the new season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, but I do think we'll be so much tougher to beat now. That was the worst thing last season, teams didn't even have to play that well to beat us.

Does anyone else sit in the Bisley stand? I've gone for the Bisley this season, and I'm half-regretting it. I'll get a better view, but I doubt the atmosphere will be as good as it is on the Hazell terrace.

I was a Hazell Terrace regular for 14 years, had a year off last year when some of the boys moved over to the new Bisley Stand, and have now got a season ticket in the Bisley for the first time. I've had a go there a few times towards the end of the season before last (paid a fiver to upgrade I think) - the atmos was obviously not as good for the quiet games, but I watched the Scarlets game from that side and it was bouncing! Also, being a shortish chap at around 5'9" I was regularly blocked from seeing the try line over in the Hazell! No such problems in the Bisley. And the bar was lightening quick to get served at last time I was there.

Genuinely excited - really looking forward to it! The year off has done me well and has recharged my batteries.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 25 Jun - 21:17

I am looking forward to being on the Bisley, but it's just going to be strange not being on the Hazell. Maybe I'll pop over there for the odd game - can you downgrade and they give you a fiver? Smile

by Guest Tue 25 Jun - 21:22

Now you've switched, you're not welcome back for one minute Luckless Wink

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 25 Jun - 21:28

I knew it!

by dragon4life Tue 25 Jun - 23:17

Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

by munkian Wed 26 Jun - 0:38

Pretty sure he is still head coach...for now.

I've re-newed my North Terrace season ticket and got my mate one too- bargain

by Guest Wed 26 Jun - 1:40

dragon4life wrote:Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

How does the pecking order work? I know it's not like the army with rank and hierarchy but who is 'superior' out of Edwards and Kingsley? Head coach Edwards sounds more superior to Assistant Coach Kingsley, but Kingsley is far more experienced. Interesting to see how they iron this out.

by doctornickolas Wed 26 Jun - 2:15

Griff wrote:
dragon4life wrote:Has Darren Edwards moved to backs coach or is he still head coach?

How does the pecking order work? I know it's not like the army with rank and hierarchy but who is 'superior' out of Edwards and Kingsley? Head coach Edwards sounds more superior to Assistant Coach Kingsley, but Kingsley is far more experienced. Interesting to see how they iron this out.

Kingsley is not there full time, as he is still head coach of Russia so at the moment i guess Edwards is higher up the chain. He still has the head coach title but i think the relity is he will be backs coach and thats it.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 5:21

Who would you go for at 10 Jones, Tovey or Burton?

by Guest Wed 26 Jun - 7:25

Just re watching the Lions v Rebels game and they mentioned Rory Sidey the Rebels centre as being ex Dragons. I have a vague, vague memory of the name but cannot really remember him at the Dragons. Was he any good (obviously not!). How much did he feature???

by dragon999 Wed 26 Jun - 7:27

i would imagine it would be Burtons shirt at the start of the season & up to the guys to take it off him - at last,competition for places!!!

by dragon999 Wed 26 Jun - 7:28

Sidey did not impress much & had a reputation as a whiner - thought he was annonymous today

by The Saint Wed 26 Jun - 7:38

During his spell at the Dragons he always had a good work rate, but was fairly average.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 16:54

The name rings a faint bell - but if Miles Harrison hadn't mentioned the Dragons link, I'm not sure it would have rung a bell at all.

by pioden gorllewin Wed 26 Jun - 18:00

Do remember him, wasn't he welsh qualified through a grandfather or something? Remember him being a big athletic direct runner of a back.

Talking about Welsh Qualified Aussies, noticed their lock was called Cadeyrn Neville. That's a very strong welsh name, think it means battle king in Welsh. He must have some Welsh in him somewhere! Looks a good athlete too, on the fringes of the Aussie Squad & a former rower who competed at the youth Olympics.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 19:50

What would you guys say is the best place to get a season ticket?(im in hazels stand centeral view)just wondering so i can tell my mates

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 19:53

What league position would you guys be happy with and how far will we go in the cups?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 19:58

Best in what sense?

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 20:00

View wise and atmosphere

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 20:28

Well I used to have a season ticket for the Hazell Terrace, and I usually managed to get a spot almost on halfway, which was a pretty good view, although it wasn't a guaranteed space. It was always good for atmosphere and banter. For next season I've gone for the central block in the Bisley stand - I can't tell you what the atmosphere's like because I haven't sat there yet!

I've watched a match from the north terrace before and you're guaranteed to be able to see all the play, but it could all be the other end of the field.

Pricewise, I think north terrace and Hazell terrace are the same for season tickets, and I think the Hazell stand and Bisley stand are the same.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 20:32

Thanks. Where do you reckon we ll come in the league? And do u reckon we can get heincken cup

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 20:39

Last season was terrible, but even then, we weren't a million miles from catching the Blues in the table. Both derby games were close - we really should have won the game at the Arms Park - so by last season's standards it's not as if they were a class apart (in my opinion). It looks like we'll be stronger next season and we've made some potentially great signings, so I'm hopeful we can give the Blues a run for their money, and not just the Blues either.

I know the Blues have brought in Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees, but at least one of those will be away with Wales a fair amount of the time, and I don't know how much they've strengthened since last season.

by munkian Wed 26 Jun - 20:40

Need to aim for 3rd place region I think

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 20:44

Munk, I liked Jason Tovey's talk the other day, saying there's no reason why we shouldn't aim to be the top one or two regions next season. A lot of that will depend on how the Argentinian tight head Chapparo goes, and Muller in the second row. If our defence is good - it can't be any worse than it was last season, surely! - then at the very least we'll give everyone a game.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 20:45

The blues have only signed paulo, jenkins and rees but it would be better if we played them whilst the six nations is on so they dont have halfpenny cuthbert etc but even if blues and dragons had there full teams out i think we have a very good chance of beating them. Plus they will probably be looking to sign a 10 cause they only have patchell i heard hook maybe going there

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 20:50

It'll be interesting to see how the Ospreys go next season without Fotuali'i. One player doesn't make a team, but any side would miss a player like that.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 20:54

I think they will miss Fotuali'i greatly probably 2nd best scrum half in the world behind Genia and Ospreys replacement isnt exactly world class

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 21:00

They weren't great when they came down to Dave Parade either. It was only a chargedown try that swung it their way.

If we sort out our home form and get the odd away win, then we're getting somewhere. There are some quality sides in the Rabo, but Lyn Jones will get the players believing they can give anyone a bloody nose.

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 21:06

Any news about Franck Montella signing for us?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 21:19

Just read on Dragged Up that London Welsh are resigned to losing him. Whether it's to us, I don't know, but he'll know Lyn and Kingsley, so it could be the right move for him (assuming he got on with them!)

by dragon4life Wed 26 Jun - 21:28

I think he would be a great addition to the squad and our scrum would be a lot better

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 26 Jun - 21:33

I keep forgetting we've got Rhys Thomas for next season too. I'm starting to get worried by how optimistic I am!

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