Gwent Dragons 2013/14 thread

by Guest Tue 18 Jun 2013, 7:24 pm

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 Guest Wed 08 Oct 2014, 10:26 pm

If Ben John is definitely out, then maybe yes. I want to see more of nightingale too though. Would rather see Pewtner back on the wing initially, where he did score a few for us last season.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 09 Oct 2014, 7:39 am

No point praising Nightingale and then not playing him. He scored a try and made another when we beat Northampton. That seems so long ago now...

by Guest Thu 09 Oct 2014, 11:54 am

This is it. It annoys me a bit when even the Argus are using the "Ash Smith only specialist centre" tag. It might not be ideal playing academy centres so early, but needs must. It didn't do any harm bringing Tyler Morgan in last season. Nothing will convince me that Prydie is a better option at centre.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 09 Oct 2014, 3:30 pm

Prydie's no great shakes as a back-three player, never mind as a centre. But it looks like that's where they're putting him.

by bedfordwelsh Thu 09 Oct 2014, 4:57 pm

I think Prydie was a good signing but he hasn't stepped up as much as I was hoping, he's still young so has that on his side but at the moment I would happily see Pewtner ahead of him on the wing with Amos and Byrne completing the back 3.

Also looking at how well introducing Morgan and Dixon went I would rather see us play a natural untried centre than put Prydie there.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 09 Oct 2014, 5:07 pm

I just don't think putting a wing / full back in midfield is the way to improve a spluttering attack. It won't help in defence either.

by bedfordwelsh Thu 09 Oct 2014, 7:57 pm

LP,

Agree 100%

by dragon4life Thu 09 Oct 2014, 8:36 pm

I think I read Ben John gone back to ospreys. Not 100%sure tho

by Guest Thu 09 Oct 2014, 11:03 pm

Yes he has. Understandable really and a shame for him. Helped us out massively though.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 10 Oct 2014, 12:17 pm

Turns out Nightingale is playing for Cross Keys this weekend, Ashton Hewitt too. No offence to Keys, but we need them more!

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 10 Oct 2014, 12:34 pm

Prydie starts at outside centre. Richie Rees on the bench again. Toby left out of the squad altogether. At least Pewtner gets a start.

by bedfordwelsh Fri 10 Oct 2014, 12:50 pm

Why aren't we starting Rees FFS, Faletau out is just rotational I guess as he's played all games so far hasn't he? Prydie at O/C - sounds so wrong in every way Sad

by Guest Fri 17 Oct 2014, 12:09 pm

Newport Gwent Dragons Team to face Stade Francais
Lee Byrne (c), Matthew Pewtner, Tom Prydie, Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos, Angus O’Brien, Richie Rees; Boris Stankovich, T. Rhys Thomas, Lloyd Fairbrother, Andrew Coombs, Rynard Landman, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Owen Evans, Dan Way, James Thomas, Andy Powell, Jonathan Evans, Jason Tovey, Aled Brew.

Think most people will be happy with this team

by The Saint Fri 17 Oct 2014, 11:22 pm

And Stade Francais team? I would've thought it better to put Brew over Prydie at centre. Still can't see the backline scoring tries.

by Guest Fri 17 Oct 2014, 11:35 pm

Can't remember where I saw it, but I do know they're weaker than normal, but can still bring Morne Steyn off the bench.

Stade Francais: Benjamin Dumas; Krisnan Inu, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Herman Meyer Bosman, Digby Ioane; Vincent Mallet, Jerome Fillol; Zurabi Zhvania, Remi Bonfils (capt), Davit Kubriashvili, Hugh Pyle, Paul Gabrillagues, Matthieu Ugena, Mathieu De Giovanni, Nicolas Garrault.

Replacements: Adrien Oleon, Sofiane Chellat, Blaise Dumas, Julien Nibert, Raphael Lakafia, Julien Tomas, Morné Steyn, Jérémy Sinzelle.

They'll still have too much for Drags mind

by DeludedOptimistorjustDave Sat 18 Oct 2014, 8:53 pm

Wow Dragons tearing it up against stade,good game

by DeludedOptimistorjustDave Sat 18 Oct 2014, 8:56 pm

Seriously WOW Dragons defending like Munster

by Guest Sat 18 Oct 2014, 9:27 pm

Boom!

by wayne Sat 18 Oct 2014, 9:41 pm

Well done Dragons, you did Wales proud

by dragon4life Sat 18 Oct 2014, 9:47 pm

Angus Obrien amd Rees were superb. Team performamce won the game though

by **George Carlin** Sat 18 Oct 2014, 10:07 pm

You lads fooking rule. What a great performance.

by Luckless Pedestrian Sat 18 Oct 2014, 10:11 pm

Holy chuff!

by Guest Sat 18 Oct 2014, 11:20 pm

Sorry I doubted them, but that trying to run the ball and that character has not been in evidence for a good while. It makes a huge difference with Richie at 9, but that isn't a surprise to anybody who has watched us. Maybe we threw caution to the wind once we went a bit behind, but whatever it was I hope that can give us the belief that we can cause teams problems. Amos' try was very nice and if North did that, there would be people raving about it. Rees' service was very slick, young Angus looked assured even when Steyn came on and Pewtner's break for TRT's try was decent too. As a second row, it was nice to see Landman have a good charge before Richie's try as well.

Lyn has to keep playing Pewtner and Rees now and we have to ditch the aimless kicking game. If we get any kind of win at home to Newcastle (and it's very possible we might), we are in a great position with a double header v Bucharest to come. I hope we show the same intent on Friday.

So happy right now. If I wasn't on early shift tomorrow, I'd be blitzed by now.

by Standulstermen Sat 18 Oct 2014, 11:43 pm

Without taking anything away from the dragons has the Stade squad been discussed? Apparently they didn't register up to ten first teamers for the European competition. Other French teams are similar. The 2nd tier is a farce if this is the case

by Guest Sun 19 Oct 2014, 12:01 am

Yes this is true. Yes the second tier competition is a bit of a farce with no Champions Cup qualification for the winner. That has to change or the French teams will inevitably target the top 14 more.

I know you aren't knocking our win, but we won with a few players out, with a young gun at ten (who also had to play a while against Morne Steyn), a winger with little (if any) experience at centre and didn't fall apart when we lost Coombs fairly early to injury (meaning we had a 6th choice lock on) and more importantly when we went down to 14. We were also on a shocking run of form, so that Stade team should've been strong enough really.

by Standulstermen Sun 19 Oct 2014, 12:09 am

Here the only way to slap it up the bloody French is to do what the dragons did. Fair play. It might just help build a bit of confidence aswell (although not too much before Nov 1st)!

by Guest Sun 19 Oct 2014, 12:13 am

I'll be over for that and it's my birthday, but I'm not expecting anything from our game. I'm probably the only Dragons fan coming and I'm quite loud, so you'll know I'm there.

by LeinsterFan4life Sun 19 Oct 2014, 12:15 am

Risca Rev wrote:Yes this is true. Yes the second tier competition is a bit of a farce with no Champions Cup qualification for the winner. That has to change or the French teams will inevitably target the top 14 more.

I know you aren't knocking our win, but we won with a few players out, with a young gun at ten (who also had to play a while against Morne Steyn), a winger with little (if any) experience at centre and didn't fall apart when we lost Coombs fairly early to injury (meaning we had a 6th choice lock on) and more importantly when we went down to 14. We were also on a shocking run of form, so that Stade team should've been strong enough really.

It doesn't really matter what kind of team SF put out, its always going to be tough to get a result over there with the budget and squad they have. This is a fantastic result for the Dragons and should hopefully kick start their campaign.

I do agree that the awful playoff system should be abolished and that place be given to the winner of this comp.

by alcoombe Sun 19 Oct 2014, 1:28 am

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Risca Rev wrote:Yes this is true. Yes the second tier competition is a bit of a farce with no Champions Cup qualification for the winner. That has to change or the French teams will inevitably target the top 14 more.

I know you aren't knocking our win, but we won with a few players out, with a young gun at ten (who also had to play a while against Morne Steyn), a winger with little (if any) experience at centre and didn't fall apart when we lost Coombs fairly early to injury (meaning we had a 6th choice lock on) and more importantly when we went down to 14. We were also on a shocking run of form, so that Stade team should've been strong enough really.

It doesn't really matter what kind of team SF put out, its always going to be tough to get a result over there with the budget and squad they have. This is a fantastic result for the Dragons and should hopefully kick start their campaign.

I do agree that the awful playoff system should be abolished and that place be given to the winner of this comp.

Possibly not in future years, but certainly this year I'd be surprised if the winner of the Challenge didn't qualify anyway for the Champions by league position. So for me it depends on what happens if that is the case, I wouldn't want the place simply being given to the next team in the winner's league. My preference would be it goes to the winner and if they've already qualified then a play-off. As it is, although far from ideal at least the winner gets that league's place in the play-off.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 19 Oct 2014, 8:10 am

What an absolutely amazing result, I know some will say its only second tier competition and Stade are not team once were etc etc.

BUT for us to go there after our terrible start to the season and not only win but win in a bit of style is amazing.

I have been calling for Rees to start for the past few games now so hopefully he can continue to and we can get another home win next weekend then take some form back into the Pro12.

I wonder what that clown Howells has to say now?

by Luckless Pedestrian Sun 19 Oct 2014, 8:24 am

Probably something about poor attendances and food for thought.

by Guest Sun 19 Oct 2014, 9:09 am

Five or so reasons why the Dragons won last night is a classic too.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 19 Oct 2014, 9:16 am

Lets hope we can follow it through now against the Falcons on Friday

by Guest Sun 19 Oct 2014, 9:28 am

We should really. They are certainly beatable. Should be an excitable atmosphere now, which will help. Just hope the players don't get carried away by this, as we have a wonderful opportunity to make the quarters now.

by IanBru Mon 20 Oct 2014, 9:21 pm

Just watched the Stade v Dragons highlights on BT - I've got to say, those tries by Rees and Amos were simply outstanding!

Chapeau, brothers!

by Guest Mon 20 Oct 2014, 9:26 pm

Yeah, it was nice to see us playing a bit. Tries like that have been a while coming.

by The Saint Mon 20 Oct 2014, 10:31 pm

The euro rugby programme on Sky Sports didn't even show any highlights of the game, not even the usual 30 seconds cameo... Any way to watch these highlights online?

I hope we build on the win, but I can see us slipping up against Newcastle unless we get some players back. Anyone in on the know still know if we're browsing the market? Kingsley seemed to allude to that the other week on Scrum V.

by Guest Mon 20 Oct 2014, 10:38 pm

I doubt we will now. Apparently Tyler is 50/50 for this weekend, but they aren't going to rush him. So if he is fit and Leach isn't that far off either, I don't see us looking for anybody now, as long as we keep players fit.

by Guest Mon 20 Oct 2014, 10:47 pm

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/c_level2.shtml?programme_id=523174395

at 35:43 apparently? Although we don't get much coverage according to Dragged Up

by dragon999 Mon 20 Oct 2014, 10:48 pm

it works!! - great tries

by The Saint Mon 20 Oct 2014, 11:27 pm

Risca Rev wrote:I doubt we will now. Apparently Tyler is 50/50 for this weekend, but they aren't going to rush him. So if he is fit and Leach isn't that far off either, I don't see us looking for anybody now, as long as we keep players fit.

We can't assume they'll be fit. I think it's best to bring in cover at fly-half and centre, assuming 3 of those backline players will be on U20 duty in Feb.

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