Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[munkian]

First topic message reminder :

Blues away Boxing Day, Gyppos at the Dave on New Years Day

[Stone Motif]

You're right. Let's get them to the Ospreys quick so they can learn from Owen Watkin and Eli Walker

Mate, keep up

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/44206

So Amos would never play alongside a young player or comedy defender because of this one signing then.

[GavinDragon]

In a blitz defence the winger always get exposed. They are the ones who have to make the split second decision to step in or stay out and usually hav to choose between two attackers.

Amos was caught out. He wasn't helped by JD on a couple of occasions but he also missed a couple of 1 up tackles and was gassed 1-1 once or twice.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The Dragons will play the Scarlets at Rodney Parade this season, but in the LV.

Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets, Rodney Parade, Friday 18th November, kick-off 7.30pm

[munkian]

We have Tigers and Falcons in our group too

[RiscaGame]

and Gloucester.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Yeah it's that fupped up thing where you play our group and we play yours.

[munkian]

God bless the low value cup

[munkian]

DRAGONS SECURE LOCAL TALENT ASHLEY SWEET


Any Ebw fans rate him ?

[mikey_dragon]

Too small for lock, even at PS XV level.

[mikey_dragon]

Reading that link now and just got reminded of stellar signing Nic McLeod... Who is Darran Harris? I don't really remember that announcement.

[Stone Motif]

DRAGONS SECURE LOCAL TALENT ASHLEY SWEET


Any Ebw fans rate him ?

He was in our Academy. No where near a replacement for Coombs. I predict a pretty torrid time with injury ahead but best of luck to him.

[Stone Motif]

Reading that link now and just got reminded of stellar signing Nic McLeod... Who is Darran Harris? I don't really remember that announcement.

Ex Scarlet inne?

[bedfordwelsh]

DRAGONS SECURE LOCAL TALENT ASHLEY SWEET


Any Ebw fans rate him ?

He was in our Academy. No where near a replacement for Coombs. I predict a pretty torrid time with injury ahead but best of luck to him.

He had a good solid season for us last year, not the youngest of players these days at 27 but he'll give his all.

I did have a chuckle reading one article online about his signing where it said one of the players he will be challenging for a 2nd row slot will be Scott Andrews, FFS if that's who we are relying on god help us.

[Stone Motif]

DRAGONS SECURE LOCAL TALENT ASHLEY SWEET


Any Ebw fans rate him ?

He was in our Academy. No where near a replacement for Coombs. I predict a pretty torrid time with injury ahead but best of luck to him.

He had a good solid season for us last year, not the youngest of players these days at 27 but he'll give his all.

I did have a chuckle reading one article online about his signing where it said one of the players he will be challenging for a 2nd row slot will be Scott Andrews, FFS if that's who we are relying on god help us.

Sincerely worried for him, it's a massive jump in physicality and S&C requirements, especially given his position.

[dragon4life]

Best match day 23 imo:
Hobbs-going well for Blues last season up until last few games where he didn't feature much, hopefully shore up scrum
Dee-by far stand out hooker, best all round game
Harris-our best player over last 2 seasons although I think we have better scrummaging tight heads i.e fairbrother, Harris has best all round game
Screech- got better towards end of last season, not much other choice either
Landman-one of our best players and first on team sheet
Thomas- if he can get back to his form from 2 seasons ago guaranteed starter, good work rate
Griffiths- although harsh on Cudd I think if we want to improve we need to stop playing off other teams mistakes and I think Griffiths has a more attacking threat
Jackson- keddie isn't ready for high level yet, Jackson can be good if on front foot as he showed a few times last season
Pretorious- best attack 9 and provides quick ball and threat
Obrien- not many options here and a position we desperately need to invest
Amos- quality finisher
Dixon- although Warren had solid season Dixon is a class above and will hopefully push on this season
Morgan- best option and hopefully can push on even more and show his real attacking threat
Hewitt- best option
Meyer- good first season and can hopefully push on even more

Subs
Buckley- big physical presence and impact hopefully
Price- very good work rate although scrummaging can be suspect
Mitchell- hopefully can get back to his best form if not Knight or Fairbrother can do a job
Hill- good line out option and solid operator
Evans- although harsh on Cudd again, Evans can cover 6,7 &8
Davies- solid 9 who does basics well
Mclaoed- probably better than Dorian, again position that needs investment
Prydie- can cover back 3 and centre

[bedfordwelsh]

I think Keddie will surprise a lot of people this season if he is given the chance. It will be a big step up but that's the challenge these young kids need.

Speaking to friends and families back home in Ebbw he will certainly rise to the challenge and like said will surprise a few people.

[dragon4life]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

[Stone Motif]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

[Stone Motif]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

[dragon4life]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

I was on about height, weight and strength wise

[mikey_dragon]

If you're on about height, weight and strength wise then why on earth are you touting Benjamin? He's the size of a scrum half playing at open-side... It looks like the management favour Cudd, Evans and Griffiths, and rightfully so.

[dragon4life]

In previous games when Benjamin was given a chance I.e 14/15 season he took his chances very well and wasn't given many chances due to form of Cudd and Griffiths, however I think he could potentially be very good cover

[Stone Motif]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

I was on about height, weight and strength wise

I know, that's not necessarily evidence he will cope mind.

[dragon4life]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

I was on about height, weight and strength wise

I know, that's not necessarily evidence he will cope mind.

Would be good to give him a few bench appearances and some starts in the LV

[Stone Motif]

In the junior World Cup he didn't impress me as much as he did in six nations but he has the skill set and physicality to play pro rugby already. Hope he gets given game time. Also would like to see Benjamin play a bit more as I really rate him although game time will be hard with Cudd and Groffiths in same position. Back row is a area we have reasonable depth

how can anyone know he's physically ready without seeing him play a few games against the big boys?

I was on about height, weight and strength wise

I know, that's not necessarily evidence he will cope mind.

Would be good to give him a few bench appearances and some starts in the LV

Definitely. I agree with you Benjamin is a good player to have around too. Problem is we don't have the depth to not stock up the bench with players who cover more than one position, and I don't think he likes of Keddie of Benjamin will ever offer that. Griffiths maybe but would be a brave call to put out two of any of our open sides in the same back row.

[GavinDragon]

Watched Keddie in the BIC last year and certainly didn't seem to be as barnstorming as we saw in 6n. Massive step in in physicality which is perhaps why he has been allocated back to Ebbw Vale for the season.

Griffiths is back to full time training and I think, barring any further injury, will be our starting 7 by the end of the year.

[RiscaGame]

Benjamin looked okay at 8 in one of the games I watched last season (off the bench). Certainly got away off the back of the scrum pretty quickly. Though I guess we need to offer parity in the scrum at worst, for any of our 8s which is why Keddie wouldn't have impressed too much in the BIC last season (when we played at least two pretty big packs).

I think we have to find a place in our 23 at the very least for Nick Crosswell. It's also pretty obvious to me that now we are starting a new season, Kingsley can avoid the obvious fact that Angus was outperforming his boy (at least for a few games of this season) and Dorian will be ten. Griffiths should be 7 now, though I expect it to be Cudd.

Me/Kingsley's

Hobbs/Hobbs
Dee/TRT
Harris/Harris
Hill/Hill or Screech
Landman/Landman
Thomas/Not sure if he would go Evans
Griffiths/Cudd
Crosswell/Jackson
Davies/Pretorious
AOB/Dorian
Amos/Amos
Dixon/Dixon
Morgan/Morgan
Hewitt/Hewitt
Meyer/Meyer

Yes I would start Charlie Davies. I am probably in the minority and I know he does score tries, but I find Pretorious very erratic and can see why his service was questioned down South (where he still would score tries).

[dragon4life]

I agree with you in terms of Davies starting thinking about it and have Pretorious come on when the game breaks up. I also want to see what Pat Howard is like as he has super rugby experience and had a short but successful spell with Munster by all accounts although he didn't play one premiership game last season after his move to saints, could either be the usual below average signing or a gem who could really challenge Morgan for a starting spot or on the wing

[GavinDragon]

This would be mine:-

Price or Hobbs
Dee
Harris
Joe Davies
Landman
Evans
Griffiths
Croswell

Pretorious
O Brien
Amos
Dixon
Morgan
Hewitt
Meyer

Price of Hobbs
TRT
Leon Brown
Thomas

Davies
Jones
Warren

[Stone Motif]

This would be mine:-

Price or Hobbs
Dee
Harris
Joe Davies
Landman
Evans
Griffiths
Croswell

Pretorious
O Brien
Amos
Dixon
Morgan
Hewitt
Meyer

Price of Hobbs
TRT
Leon Brown
Thomas

Davies
Jones
Warren

Joe Davies? Big call..

Price Dee Harris Screech/Hill Landman Crosswell Jackson Griffiths
Davies O'brien Warren Morgan Amos Meyer Hewitt
Hobbs? TRT Mitchell Thomas Evans Pretorious McLeod Prydie

[mikey_dragon]

I like the teams here, but going to throw mine in too. It's not far off all yours and we have such little depth it pretty much picks itself.

Hobbs
Dee
Harris
Hill/Schreech
Landman
Thomas
Cudd
Jackson

Pretorious
AOB
Amos
Dixon
Morgan
Hewitt
Meyer

On the bench I would like to see, here and there and whoever is available, the likes of Mitchell, Brown, Joe Davies, Griffiths, Crosswell, Howard, Prydie. Brown is still U20 as far as I know though so realistically I expect to see little of him.

I think we're light at LH and lock. And especially 10, we have a bunch of very average 10s playing behind a suspect pack, which is a shame because we could put out a dangerous backline.

[GavinDragon]

This would be mine:-

Price or Hobbs
Dee
Harris
Joe Davies
Landman
Evans
Griffiths
Croswell

Pretorious
O Brien
Amos
Dixon
Morgan
Hewitt
Meyer

Price of Hobbs
TRT
Leon Brown
Thomas

Davies
Jones
Warren

Joe Davies? Big call..

Price Dee Harris Screech/Hill Landman Crosswell Jackson Griffiths
Davies O'brien Warren Morgan Amos Meyer Hewitt
Hobbs? TRT Mitchell Thomas Evans Pretorious McLeod Prydie

Agreed. A risk. I am only basing it on his physique and what I saw in the brief spell vs Nottingham last season. Big unit, but may not make the grade. I am looking forward to seeing how he goes.

[GavinDragon]

Forgot about Mitchell as well. I would have him on bench instead of Leon Brown.

[dragon4life]

What I've heard from a Dragons player himself is that as we were on the back foot for so much last season we had to play in the pack especially in the front 5 the players with the best work rates for example the player said our best scrummaging props were Garret and Fairbrother but they were not selected due to Price and Harris contributing much more in the loose making about double the tackles and carries. I would like to see Garret play more as he looks a strong scrummager and I think we need to get a good set piece in order to let loose our back line and move up the table

[GavinDragon]

What I've heard from a Dragons player himself is that as we were on the back foot for so much last season we had to play in the pack especially in the front 5 the players with the best work rates for example the player said our best scrummaging props were Garret and Fairbrother but they were not selected due to Price and Harris contributing much more in the loose making about double the tackles and carries. I would like to see Garret play more as he looks a strong scrummager and I think we need to get a good set piece in order to let loose our back line and move up the table

That is interesting. Liked the look of Garrett when I have seen him. Not convinced by Fairbrother tbh.

[Stone Motif]

Agreed. A risk. I am only basing it on his physique and what I saw in the brief spell vs Nottingham last season. Big unit, but may not make the grade. I am looking forward to seeing how he goes.

He has the build to be Gough/BBBD type, you need Hill or Screech starting as the main line out jumper though.

[Stone Motif]

What I've heard from a Dragons player himself is that as we were on the back foot for so much last season we had to play in the pack especially in the front 5 the players with the best work rates for example the player said our best scrummaging props were Garret and Fairbrother but they were not selected due to Price and Harris contributing much more in the loose making about double the tackles and carries. I would like to see Garret play more as he looks a strong scrummager and I think we need to get a good set piece in order to let loose our back line and move up the table

Tricky with props. You can get them better conditioned but they probably lose strength and weight.

Said it before but the side lacks size and power. They aren't unfit they are just outgunned in the collisions.

[dragon4life]

Personally if I was picking props I'd look for scrummaging ability before work rate, I think we need a higher quality lock to come into starting team someone with similar physique and ability to Landman and then our first XV will be competitive and our season will be dependent on keeping our best team fit as our squad has very little depth although we are better off than last season imo

[bedfordwelsh]

Its ok Scott Andrews was reported as one of 2nd rows so we got no worries.

[Stone Motif]

Personally if I was picking props I'd look for scrummaging ability before work rate, I think we need a higher quality lock to come into starting team someone with similar physique and ability to Landman and then our first XV will be competitive and our season will be dependent on keeping our best team fit as our squad has very little depth although we are better off than last season imo

Agree there too. We can score points in the backs with a platform. There's no control in the half backs to exploit any platform though.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Could whoever created this thread change the season in the title? I know 2015/16 was a roaring success, but it's in the past now.

[munkian]

Could whoever created this thread change the season in the title? I know 2015/16 was a roaring success, but it's in the past now.

You're first post on page 1

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I know, but I didn't create the thread.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Anyway, speaking of the 2016/17 season, I'm looking forward to seeing Sam Beard play. Not a big-name signing (are any of our signings big-name signings?) but Edinburgh fans had only good things to say about him.

[munkian]

Anyway, speaking of the 2016/17 season, I'm looking forward to seeing Sam Beard play. Not a big-name signing (are any of our signings big-name signings?) but Edinburgh fans had only good things to say about him.

Forwards we need not backs but yeah, he seems like he has good potential

[GavinDragon]

Quietly confident that, because expectations are so low, we will surprise a few people this year. I think that keeping our best players fit is crucial. Hope griffiths, dixon, morgan and amos all play at least 18 games this year.

[mikey_dragon]

Agreed. A risk. I am only basing it on his physique and what I saw in the brief spell vs Nottingham last season. Big unit, but may not make the grade. I am looking forward to seeing how he goes.

He has the build to be Gough/BBBD type, you need Hill or Screech starting as the main line out jumper though.

If Joe Davies is that good then I'd shift one of those to blindside, or.... How are Evans, Crosswell and Thomas in the lineout jumper department? I think we're pretty well covered in back-row. It seems a few people don't rate Ed Jackson but from what I seen of him he's very good.


Gavin next season I have the opportunity to attend a few more games...when I'm not working weekends. And it could be 2 weekends with one Saturday per month....not ideal but I get a top-up for doing so. If we're around I'll have to catch up with you over a pint of diet lemonade.

[mikey_dragon]

Its ok Scott Andrews was reported as one of 2nd rows so we got no worries.

The academy graduate? He looks light and a bit in the mould of Screech/Hill. I'm not sure that's what we need tbh.

[GavinDragon]

MD sounds good to me. I will be in the marquee before and after most games this season.

[mikey_dragon]

Anyway, speaking of the 2016/17 season, I'm looking forward to seeing Sam Beard play. Not a big-name signing (are any of our signings big-name signings?) but Edinburgh fans had only good things to say about him.

Forwards we need not backs but yeah, he seems like he has good potential

Outside of the 10 jersey I think we have some good cover in the backs. Don't we still have the midfield that played most of last season available? Hughes and....
I also hope guys like Dixon, Morgan, Amos, Hewitt and Meyer get the opportunity to play a few games together - it's an exciting backline. Anyone believe that McCleod might get the nod at fly-half through being the most experienced guy?

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