Gwent Dragons 2013/14 thread

[Guest]

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.

[Jhamer25]

Overall, Turnball and Shingler did play better than Coombs on the day. Coombs wasn't a prominent as he usually is. With 5 established locks in Alyn Wyn, Ian Evans, Bradley Davies, Charters and Jake Ball, Coombs isn't going to be seen as a lock option any more unless we are really short due to injuries. He will be seen more of a 6 for the welsh team now and he will find that he will be constantly be fighting for a place over Turnball and Shingler. Then again Lewis Evans should be ahead of them all so it's never fair.

[dragon4life]

Martin Muller the SA lock who we nearly signed has gone to Oyannax

[dragon4life]

Matthew Morgan has a loan clause in his contract so can come to us until Bristo
l are in prem

[bedfordwelsh]

Matthew Morgan has a loan clause in his contract so can come to us until Bristo
l are in prem

Where would he play, I know its great to have a bit of depth and competition for places etc but I still assume Tovey will be 1st choice 10 and Byrne at XV. Is Burton moving on?

[XR]

I reckon Morgan won't play at 10 for long. They (Team Wales) will probably turn him in to a winger. He's just too small to play 10 but has so much gas and ability to make breaks, he'd be better off on the wing. We'll probably see him pack on a lot of muscle, if requested by WG. I watched a match from 2008 for the blues with 1/2p on the wing and he was quite sleight then, now he's built.

[dragon4life]

Burton is staying, idk where he will play if comes here. But would be good for a season better than him playing championship

[dragon4life]

Martyn Thomas released by glaws, don't need him here but good player and good signing for blues or london welsh

[Guest]

I hear the prop signing has been approved.

[bedfordwelsh]

I hear the prop signing has been approved.

Do we actually know who it is yet though?

[dragon4life]

Will be confirmed tomorrow hopefully

[Guest]

I know a surname, but that's it. I assumed from the surname who it is, but I've not heard anything more.

[prop_lyd]

Don't fancy spilling the beans?!

[munkian]

We are playing Bristol in Bristol on Aug 17th apparently

[Guest]

Nah, as if I'm wrong then it's pointless. The surname is the same as a set of rugby playing brothers (I hear).

[Guest]

We are playing Bristol in Bristol on Aug 17th apparently

Best hope I am home for that then.

[munkian]

Spose I'd better go, try to avoid Bristolians mind   

[dragon4life]

Rev what was the name of the prop you heard?

[Guest]

Keeping it under my hat, as I can't find even a rumour on it. What was the one you heard?

[dragon4life]

Been told i'm not ment to tell, hopefully confirmed Monday. What have you heard personal message me if you can on here?

[Welshmushroom]

I'm hoping they have persuaded Adam Jones and signed him (via the WRU). Obviously the foreigner reference was to throw the RRW of their scent and have asked Adam to fake tan and turn up with a South African passport, in order to get round the agreement not to play central players.

[Jhamer25]

CJ Van Der Linde?

[GavinDragon]

what's the rumours?

[Guest]

I've heard a great one today   

[ScarletSpiderman]

I'm hoping they have persuaded Adam Jones and signed him (via the WRU).  Obviously the foreigner reference was to throw the RRW of their scent and have asked Adam to fake tan and turn up with a South African passport, in order to get round the agreement not to play central players.  

It could be the foreigner reference was a technicality, as Adam is not a man of Gwent and he will be technically joining from South Africa (when he returns for the tour)?

[dragon999]

I've heard a great one today   

The Andy Powell one?  

[GavinDragon]

cmon then guys names?

[dragon4life]

Good chance of 1/4 finals? Group of Stade, Newcastle and other team. The 3 best runner ups qualify next year

[richy_l_p]

I heard Michael Coetzee

[dragon4life]

Same

[richy_l_p]

Good signing if so as a solid scrummager with a lot of experience in France. Hope there's one or two more to come but already have done well.

[Jhamer25]

Who, if this is suppose to be your great tight head signing then good luck. I've never even heard of him.

[munkian]

Oh well, if Jhamer25 hasn't heard of him...  

[richy_l_p]

Known to be a good scrummager, several seasons experience with Racing Metro and Castres so good luck indeed

[Guest]

I've heard a great one today   

    The Andy Powell one?  

Maybe   . I knew of it before I read Dragged Up though.

[richy_l_p]

We all ITK on yer in we boyos.:P

[Shifty]

I was at the Dragons training ground working yesterday and Kingsley Jones was next to me doing a 1-1 fitness session with a stocky young player with a beard not sure if it's the prop you are on about. A young blonde girl was also there, I'm assuming she was a physio.

[dragon4life]

Fairbrother?

[Jhamer25]

Ok munkian, so much for the hype that was built up though aye about a welk known tight head.
Im not saying he is bad player but I've just never heard of him.

[munkian]

Hardly 'hype' - no one was expecting a 'world class' prop.

[Jhamer25]

You can't say there hasn't been hype about it on this thread. Anything is better than what's there anyway

[GavinDragon]

Get your golf outfits ready....http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11269359.Dragons_sign_former_Wales_and_Lions_powerhouse_Andy_Powell/

[munkian]

MEEP MEEP !

Kinda love this news #Legend

[GavinDragon]

Celtic Manor have just announced an increase in security and it isn't to do with the NATO summit

[Cardiff Dave]

I've heard a great one today   

    The Andy Powell one?  

FOUR!!!

[Cardiff Dave]

Get your golf outfits ready....http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11269359.Dragons_sign_former_Wales_and_Lions_powerhouse_Andy_Powell/

IIRC, his hard shoulder adventure had more to do with wolfing down a Ginster's or two rather than a round of golf.
I enjoyed his brief stay at CAP btw.

[GavinDragon]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/rugby/dragons/11269920.Dragons_tempt_Huw_Bevan_away_from_England_cricket/?ref=twt&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Jhamer25]

Good signing. Dragons are already wells stocked at 8 and flanker but i doubt he cost much and will be a good squad member. Will add real depth to you backrow

[dragon4life]

Good depth. Also another pre season friendly, at rp against northampton

[GavinDragon]

its not coetzee

[richy_l_p]

its not coetzee

Who have you heard?

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