Dragons Season Thread - 2019/20 aka Year 1 of the new 5 Year Plan

[RiscaGame]

Because it seemingly hit his head. I understand why he did it, as they were slowing us down a fair bit and not getting penalised, but it needs to be a few more angles than the clip I have seen.

[mikey_dragon]

I didn't see a head shot from the clip either. I thought it was very good at the time and loved the fact it was on Aled.

[Stone Motif]

Bowell storms in to reclaim his bell-end in chief crown from Mark Orders with this article, which somehow manages to not include the words "Colin" and "Charvis" just for starters: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/strong-looking-dragons-dream-team-17540907

[RiscaGame]

I really don’t see the point in it, but then Howell’s output is never great.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You can't have Sam Davies ahead of Tovey. In a few seasons' time maybe, but it's far too soon to say.

Having Chaparro there is daft as well. It's based on what he's done since leaving, not what he did while he was here.

[Stone Motif]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18150286.fairbrother-starts-emergency-loosehead-dragons-castres/
In other bizarre decision making news, we are trialling the Cornish Barrel at Loosehead away to Castres. Anyone else hear the "Oh Sh7tballs" song from Deadpool II while they digest this news?

[mikey_dragon]

Bowell storms in to reclaim his bell-end in chief crown from Mark Orders with this article, which somehow manages to not include the words "Colin" and "Charvis" just for starters: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/strong-looking-dragons-dream-team-17540907

Idiot selections from chief idiot.

[mikey_dragon]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18150286.fairbrother-starts-emergency-loosehead-dragons-castres/
In other bizarre decision making news, we are trialling the Cornish Barrel at Loosehead away to Castres. Anyone else hear the "Oh Sh7tballs" song from Deadpool II while they digest this news?

Is Harris banned? Shocking if true. Jarvis should be LH cover.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Castres: J Dumora, F Nakosi, T Combezou, Y David, T Paris, T Fortunel, R Kockott; M Tierney, J Jenneker, W Hounkpatin, L Jacquet, V Moreaux, B Delaporte (captain), A Tulou, A Jelonch. Replacements: K Firmin, W de Benedittis, K Wihongi, C Samson, C Gerondeau, L Radosavljevic, F Vialelle, M Laveau.

Dragons: J Botica, J Rosser, A Warren, T Griffiths, R Dyer, S Davies, T Knoyle, L Fairbrother, E Dee, L Brown, J Davies, M Screech, C Hill (captain), T Basham, R Moriarty. Replacements: E Shipp, J Reynolds, C Coleman, M Williams, H Keddie, R Williams, A Robson, C Penny.


Referee: JP Doyle (England)

I know so little about Castres that I don't know what to expect from this even with Fairbrother at loosehead. You'd assume any Top 14 side can scrummage, but how close is this to their first XV?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18150286.fairbrother-starts-emergency-loosehead-dragons-castres/
In other bizarre decision making news, we are trialling the Cornish Barrel at Loosehead away to Castres. Anyone else hear the "Oh Sh7tballs" song from Deadpool II while they digest this news?

Is Harris banned? Shocking if true. Jarvis should be LH cover.

Two-match ban. Jarvis has 'suffered a knock to the leg'.

[mikey_dragon]

I thought it was a good clearout… Couldn't have happened to a better 9... Anyway our selection seems a bit understrength if we're looking to make ground in this competition. I wouldn't have said we should be looking to cover back 3 next season, however Williams and Talbot-Davies out, and Howells always injured has made me think otherwise.

[RiscaGame]

Castres: J Dumora, F Nakosi, T Combezou, Y David, T Paris, T Fortunel, R Kockott; M Tierney, J Jenneker, W Hounkpatin, L Jacquet, V Moreaux, B Delaporte (captain), A Tulou, A Jelonch. Replacements: K Firmin, W de Benedittis, K Wihongi, C Samson, C Gerondeau, L Radosavljevic, F Vialelle, M Laveau.

Dragons: J Botica, J Rosser, A Warren, T Griffiths, R Dyer, S Davies, T Knoyle, L Fairbrother, E Dee, L Brown, J Davies, M Screech, C Hill (captain), T Basham, R Moriarty. Replacements: E Shipp, J Reynolds, C Coleman, M Williams, H Keddie, R Williams, A Robson, C Penny.


Referee: JP Doyle (England)

I know so little about Castres that I don't know what to expect from this even with Fairbrother at loosehead. You'd assume any Top 14 side can scrummage, but how close is this to their first XV?

Sounds like there are three pretty tall props playing (with Barrel the exemption). So I guess it’s hard to guess what that will mean, as ideally we would want to try and get them lower than they’re comfortable with.

I don’t get how Jarvis has been injured, on a light training week.

I don’t get some of the selections, when next game is the one to do that in. Pretty inexperienced set of front five replacements to bring on too. Best hope for a Worcester win next week now.

[RiscaGame]

Expected result for us. Disappointed we left a try scoring bonus out there though. That could be costly. Tavis Knoyle killed us first half. Awful box kicking and very laboured getting the ball away (when it wasn’t slowed by Castres players flopping everywhere).

Hopefully, a Worcester win on Friday, no BP.

[mikey_dragon]

The backs looked like they were struggling again, from what I saw in the first half. I only caught glimpses of the second half. That’s also expected from Knoyle tbh, he’s Aled Davies 2.

[mikey_dragon]

So Ross is set to take a pay cut. Ospreys is off the table for now, because Pivac helps decide his worth - I think we'll start to see less of the regions outbidding each other from now on. His agent has held talks with Blues. He was also linked to Exeter, but playing outside of Wales means he will no longer play for Wales.

I don't see why he would go to Blues and they have a lot of good flankers anyway, with Seb Davies able to play 8.

[RiscaGame]

Going to the Blues would be a sidewards step for next season. If a team qualifies for the Champions Cup, then I’d say fair enough. Otherwise, you’re just playing in the same competitions. There’s no benefit to him going there really.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah those were my thoughts. I think it would also hinder the development of Lewis-Hughes, Botham and the new lad they just signed from their academy. Seb Davies at 8 could become permanent too, as I don't think he's really been cutting it at lock.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

If he wants to start, then he might have to move to the Blues. If Griffiths, Wainwright and Basham are all fit, which of them would you drop to accommodate Moriarty?

[RiscaGame]

Fair point. I just get the feeling that Moriarty would be Ryan’s first choice. Not sure why really.

[mikey_dragon]

If he wants to start, then he might have to move to the Blues. If Griffiths, Wainwright and Basham are all fit, which of them would you drop to accommodate Moriarty?

Either or. I get the feeling it would be Griffiths given his injury record over the last few seasons. Ross is a different style of flanker so it would be good to have that option, an actual 8 rather than a makeshift one. Not knocking our 7's who can play 8, they step in and do a great job.

If he's a starter at Blues then who do you see them dropping, bearing in mind they have some quality options of their own?

As I said before if we do lose Ross then I would bring in a NWQ at 8.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You wouldn't think the 'environment' is that much better at the Blues, if he's going to be on roughly the same money.

[mikey_dragon]

No I wouldn't think that. It reminds me of the time people were saying Faletau should go to Bath to improve, even though he was a Lions starter at the time. Some people just don't think.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Going to Bath is different, plus we were awful then.

As Risca says, going to the Blues seems like a sidewards step. Would the coaching be significantly better, for example?

[mikey_dragon]

You missed the point. Bath was supposedly a better environment, even though they're not that good, and Faletau was meant to improve as a player there despite being at the top of his game. The same people will claim Ross can go to Blues and improve, I just don't see it.

[Blueschief]

Would prefer to see Moriarty stay at Dragons, we need 4 good regions and Ryan is heaps better than Mulvers as a head coach. Mulvers is a useless head coach, he would be ok as a backs/attack coach tho if he stopped the bizarre selections.

[mikey_dragon]

Would prefer to see Moriarty stay at Dragons, we need 4 good regions and Ryan is heaps better than Mulvers as a head coach. Mulvers is a useless head coach, he would be ok as a backs/attack coach tho if he stopped the bizarre selections.

Pretty much what I've been saying about Mulvers and his selection policy!

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You missed the point. Bath was supposedly a better environment, even though they're not that good, and Faletau was meant to improve as a player there despite being at the top of his game. The same people will claim Ross can go to Blues and improve, I just don't see it.

Bath was a better environment. We're arguing whether or not the Blues would be a better environment.

[mikey_dragon]

You missed the point. Bath was supposedly a better environment, even though they're not that good, and Faletau was meant to improve as a player there despite being at the top of his game. The same people will claim Ross can go to Blues and improve, I just don't see it.

Bath was a better environment. We're arguing whether or not the Blues would be a better environment.

I don't disagree. I'm arguing that the background context is likely the same, that some people believe these players can improve by moving elsewhere. Faletau didn't as he was at the height of his game, and I doubt Ross would improve by going to the Blues; arguably he is another player near the top of his game (also a Lions call-up).

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Dragons: C Penny, J Rosser, A Warren, T Griffiths, R Dyer, S Davies, T Knoyle, L Fairbrother, E Dee, L Brown, M Screech, C Hill (captain), A Wainwright, T Basham, R Moriarty. Replacements: E Shipp, J Reynolds, C Coleman, J Davies, H Keddie, L Baldwin, J Botica, T Morgan.

Enisei-STM: To come.

Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)


'To make the quarter-finals the Dragons need to win with a bonus point and then hope a freak result doesn’t happen in Worcester.

If the Warriors win with a bonus point and Castres gain two bonuses then all three teams will finish Pool One on 20 points and it will be Ryan’s men that miss out.'


https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18165237.hill-returns-lock-dragons-euro-clash-enisei-stm/

[RiscaGame]

Poor bench again. Hope Knoyle is better this week.

Strong Pack. Will be interesting to see how Penny goes.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't know why Rhodri Williams is missing altogether.

I remember seeing Carwyn Penny for Gloucester in some tournament (the Premiership Cup or something?) and he was alright.

[RiscaGame]

Bit frustrating that nothing is mentioned about it. I normally expect to read about why certain players miss out in the Argus, but even they haven't said anything yet.

[RiscaGame]

Chris Kirwan just said that Hibbard and Rhodri Williams are niggles. Nansen isn’t getting selected.

[mikey_dragon]

Is Nansen being phased out? I don’t recall but his contract was probably 2 years.

[RiscaGame]

It does seem that way.

[mikey_dragon]

Well I hope we’re looking to recruit a replacement. Will Rowlands will be good with me...

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Another notch on the season belt - congrats Dragons and their fans.  4 wins on the board already and we're not at the halfway point yet.  And the next rounds during the 6N where Bennetton (h), Glasgow (a) will be without key players. Cheetahs (h), Ulster, Scarlets, Ulster might be a tougher chunk before you meet Ospreys again, then a tour in SA for two matches in May.  

I was just looking at the games we'll have during the Six Nations: Treviso at home, Glasgow away, Cheetahs at home, Ulster away. It's always better to go to Scotstoun when Glasgow are missing their Test players, and while Treviso are a good side these days, home and away, I'd guess they've had more players called up than we've had, so that's an advantage for us. The Cheetahs I have to admit I don't know how well they travel, and then a trip to Ravenhill, where worse Dragons sides than this have given them a game in the past (albeit we've had some hidings too).

I wouldn't bet on us winning either away game, but with our first-choice half backs and Basham available, who knows. If we lose the two home games, I'll be disappointed.

[RiscaGame]

If we can get Jarvis fit for it all and have a front row of Harris, Hibbard and Jarvis, I would be happy.

It’s hard to tell what the Cheetahs are like really. I don’t really pay attention to them, but they’re not weakened at all unlike us. We should’ve beaten them last season though (I think). We should beat Treviso.

[mikey_dragon]

Cheetahs were unstoppable on their own patch earlier in the season. Since then they've had time off and only played away games, they weren't as good away from home but still competitive. I think them and Bennetton are definitely winnable games, Glasgow I hope we're more competitive this time and probably won't get anything at Ulster.

[Guest]

Basham out and Keddie in - late change due to illness. Big loss.

[maestegmafia]

Basham out and Keddie in - late change due to illness. Big loss.

Good luck dragons, play your hearts out make us proud..!

[RiscaGame]

I bet that’s mumps again. Mad how much of it is about (Swansea and Newport).

Interesting to see Joy Neville referee Dee stepping off the mark before throwing. She should manage the gap better though, as well.

[Guest]

We're making hard work of this. Hoping Enesei tyre in the 2nd half. We need a big score.

[Guest]

Tire, even!

[Guest]

Meanwhile over at Worcester v Castre the nightmare scenario is unfolding. Both only 3 tries each. One more each and castre getting within 7 and we do not go through even with a BP win.

[Guest]

Tyler Morgan - on as a sub, scored a try, injured in the process. Not nice to see but the guy must be made of glass. Might have injured himself with the flamboyant dive, which would be ridiculous if so.

[maestegmafia]

Worcester are beating Castre at the moment so all looking good right?

[Guest]

No, I think if Worcester win with BP and castre get a losing BP and a try BP then Dragons are out regardless of how we do v Enesei

[Guest]

Castre just scored and have a try BP

[mikey_dragon]

Not much urgency from us and a poor spectacle overall. Keddie is unlucky not to be in the first team. I almost forgot how bad Knoyle was tbh.

I don’t think we deserve to go through. We’ve improved but our form isn’t good enough.

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