Dragons Season Thread 2017/18 - New Beginnings

by Guest Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:25 pm

First topic message reminder :

Too early?! Never mind.

So, big changes are afoot at Dave Parade. There's been loads of arguments about the best way forward, the pros and cons of regional v club rugby, and I'm sure there'll be many more to come. But what's done is done and, for now, we have a pro team at Dave Parade to support next year. A few weeks ago even that was in jeopardy. So moving forward...

Ownership:
So the WRU has taken over the reigns. I'll add updates here as and when we know them, but the formal split from Newport RFC should mean 'cleaner' or more straightforward to understand revenue streams.

Pitch:
A new one is being laid as we speak. This original pitch has been part and parcel of the problems at RP for a number of years. A BBC report showed it to be up there as the most used pitch pro pitch in the UK. Something had to be done. A fully synthetic pitch was mooted and preferred by some, a al Blues, Saracens, Glasgow, et al. However, FA rules state that football clubs cannot play on these surfaces (probably since the AstroTurf days of Luton Town, etc.). So it looks like a compromise has been agreed with a 4g semi-synthetic pitch, like those used by many football clubs, Swansea City/Ospreys, Millennium Stadium, Aviva Stadium, Twickenham, Murrayfield, Cardiff City stadium, etc. A weave of synthetic fibres and real grass meaning it's easier to maintain, less prone to weather damage, but still sort of like the real thing. This will be a real move forward and should improve the product on the field. A bit.

Personnel:
New coach - Huw Jackman. Comes with a good reputation for hard work and attacking rugby. Good stuff.
Gavin Henson - I'm happy with this. Despite his knockers, so to speak, he is still a classy club player and performed well in the English Prem with Bristol, when not injured. Which is the crux of the issue. Hopefully we can keep him fit for an extended run of games.
Zane Kirchner - On paper a quality player but as with a lot of good players, when they are in the twighlight of their careers and join a 'lesser' club more often than not they do not perform as expected. Let's hope he is an exception to the rule. Did Jackman and Kirchner play together at Leinster?

Transfers In:

Bernard 'No Pudding' Jackman - coach
Gavin Henson
Zane Kirchner

Transfers Out:
Shaun Knight
Nick Crosswell
Tom Prydie
Geraint Rhys Jones
Darren Harris
Craig Mitchell

New Badge:

Dragons Season Thread 2017/18 - New Beginnings - Page 12 Dragon10

Dragons Season Thread 2017/18 - New Beginnings - Page 12 Dragon10

by Stone Motif Thu Sep 14, 2017 12:02 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Jackman was talking about keeping our composure when we're in the opposition 22. Pretorius isn't the most composed of players, but at least he's likely to make the breaks that get us into the opposition 22. He does make things happen.

Plus with Amos and Hewitt on the pitch we have players who can get on his shoulder, they just need to be ready for it. Play structured off Gav and let Pretorious do his thing.

by mikey_dragon Thu Sep 14, 2017 12:53 am

munkian wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:Sarel is the best No.9 at the region without a doubt. A bit greedy yes, but he scores tries. Is Warren due back soon?

Charlie Davies is tidy too.

Not sure on Warren. Really really hope Griffiths is back.

I think he's a bit lacking in pace. I think Owen Leonard is a better passer of the ball despite his nervy start in Scotland. That leaves us with Knoyle who's rubbish at everything.

A shame. I thought Beard and Warren worked really well together. Some recent stats I've seen also suggest Morgan was better than I previously thought.

by **RiscaGame** Thu Sep 14, 2017 2:21 am

Warren's fit, he's just playing in the Prem I thought?

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:28 pm

Dragons: Z Kirchner, A Hewitt, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, G Henson, S Pretorius, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, R Landman, C Hill (captain), H Keddie, O Griffiths, J Benjamin. Replacements: G Ellis, T Davies, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Blake, O Leonard, D Jones, J Rosser.

Connacht: T O’Halloran, D Leader, T Farrell, B Aki, R Scholes, J Carty, C Blade, D Coulson, T McCarthney, C Carey, Q Roux, J Cannon, E Masterson, J Heenan, J Muldoon. Replacements: D Heffernan, P McCabe, D Robertson-McCoy, G Thornbury, J Butler, K Marmion, S Crosbie, E Griffin.

Robson Blake on the bench!

by mikey_dragon Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:49 pm

"Pretorius lines up alongside Gavin Henson at half-back, with the former WEales international making his third consecutive league start for the region."

by Stone Motif Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:13 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Dragons: Z Kirchner, A Hewitt, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, G Henson, S Pretorius, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, R Landman, C Hill (captain), H Keddie, O Griffiths, J Benjamin. Replacements: G Ellis, T Davies, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Blake, O Leonard, D Jones, J Rosser.

Connacht: T O’Halloran, D Leader, T Farrell, B Aki, R Scholes, J Carty, C Blade, D Coulson, T McCarthney, C Carey, Q Roux, J Cannon, E Masterson, J Heenan, J Muldoon. Replacements: D Heffernan, P McCabe, D Robertson-McCoy, G Thornbury, J Butler, K Marmion, S Crosbie, E Griffin.

Robson Blake on the bench!

I don't get that back row at all. Whilst he's right to drop Thomas, why move them all around? Griffiths can do 6.5 or 8 better than Benjamin can do 8, arguably he's a better six than Keddie as well, though HK is probably a six long term so I can cope with that.

by Marshes Thu Sep 14, 2017 11:36 pm

Hi lads, hope you don't mind if a wandering Connacht fan joins you for discussion this week.

Couple of questions for you:
How has Jackman been settling in and got you playing so far?
Any young lads there to keep an eye out for as rising stars?
How has Henson been playing?
The match isn't available to watch anywhere is it?

From a Connacht perspective there is a significant bit of rotation there in our pack: Buckley, Bealham, Dillane, Sean O Brien, Butler out from last game - Coulson (under Jackman last year), Carey, Roux, Heenan and Masterson in. Forwards had been going well in the first two games so little bit nervy about those front row changes, particularly as we don't have Buckley or Bealham off the bench to secure the scrum if it is floundering. The rest should be able to retain the quality.

In the backs Blade has come in for Marmion, who had a fairly busy summer. Blade has great potential but not at the same level of tempo as Marmion so could be rattled if we start losing the battle up front. Rory Scholes couldn't get into the Edinburgh team but had a decent pre-season with us, although he is replacing Healy who I also feel is a step up in quality. Having TOH back is a big boost.

I'll also be interested to see more of Crosbie who came from the Irish League through Munster, he looked very composed when he came off the bench last week!

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:35 am

Not at all!

Well we haven't won a game yet under Jackman, but a) we played Montpellier, Northampton, Exeter and Glasgow in pre-season, and b) we've tended not to win games for a while. The opening game against Leinster was disappointing, but we played much better rugby against Edinburgh and you could see the kind of game Jackman wants us playing - using the full width of the pitch, being prepared to play from deep, forwards handling and looking to offload, and in fairness the players looked comfortable playing that way. We made plenty of line breaks - 'Hewitt beating nine defenders, the most by any player in the weekend of PRO14 action, and Amos and centre Tyler Morgan making three clean breaks each'* - only to panic a bit in their 22, and we continued to let in soft tries (we've got a dedicated defence coach at last, but he hasn't been in post long).

The team's virtually full of young local players, but I'd say the players to look out for would be Leon Brown and Elliot Dee in the front row, Ollie Griffiths in the back row, and both wings, if you haven't heard of them. Also, Robson Blake on the bench is a lump and they think a lot of him, but it would be his league debut. It's quite a youthful team all round though, apart from Henson and the Saffers.

Speaking of Henson, he didn't have a great game at all against Leinster, but he was pulling the strings nicely against Edinburgh until Sam Beard got injured and they moved him into midfield (as I recall it - but we were a bit shapeless after that).

As far as I know, it's not being televised. Of course, BBC Wales could be showing it, instead of sending a team over to Belfast to show a game that BBC Northern Ireland are covering anyway, but there you go.

* http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15529834.Wales_wing_Amos__Dragons_have_to_be_ruthless_to_bag_elusive_win/

by mikey_dragon Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:51 am

If Griffiths is at open-side then I would have him at 7 on defensive scrums, and at 8 on attacking scrums. Interested to see this Robson Blake. I'll probably pop down Friday night.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:54 am

I've just noticed Max Williams isn't on the bench, is he injured or do they just think we're a bit lightweight otherwise?

by mikey_dragon Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:58 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've just noticed Max Williams isn't on the bench, is he injured or do they just think we're a bit lightweight otherwise?

I would have put him at 6 and dropped JB. I think he's worth more game time to see if he settles in. He has potential for sure.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri Sep 15, 2017 1:11 am

There's no rush with him I suppose.

by Marshes Fri Sep 15, 2017 3:30 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Not at all!

Well we haven't won a game yet under Jackman, but a) we played Montpellier, Northampton, Exeter and Glasgow in pre-season, and b) we've tended not to win games for a while. The opening game against Leinster was disappointing, but we played much better rugby against Edinburgh and you could see the kind of game Jackman wants us playing - using the full width of the pitch, being prepared to play from deep, forwards handling and looking to offload, and in fairness the players looked comfortable playing that way. We made plenty of line breaks - 'Hewitt beating nine defenders, the most by any player in the weekend of PRO14 action, and Amos and centre Tyler Morgan making three clean breaks each'* - only to panic a bit in their 22, and we continued to let in soft tries (we've got a dedicated defence coach at last, but he hasn't been in post long).

The team's virtually full of young local players, but I'd say the players to look out for would be Leon Brown and Elliot Dee in the front row, Ollie Griffiths in the back row, and both wings, if you haven't heard of them. Also, Robson Blake on the bench is a lump and they think a lot of him, but it would be his league debut. It's quite a youthful team all round though, apart from Henson and the Saffers.

Speaking of Henson, he didn't have a great game at all against Leinster, but he was pulling the strings nicely against Edinburgh until Sam Beard got injured and they moved him into midfield (as I recall it - but we were a bit shapeless after that).

As far as I know, it's not being televised. Of course, BBC Wales could be showing it, instead of sending a team over to Belfast to show a game that BBC Northern Ireland are covering anyway, but there you go.
* http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15529834.Wales_wing_Amos__Dragons_have_to_be_ruthless_to_bag_elusive_win/

Cheers lads!

Would you say Jackman's style is similar to the way Pat Lam had Connacht playing? We played Grenoble a number of times and I felt they had a very similar style to us (as you mention) playing from deep and offloading, better skills from the pack etc. Took a while for it to bed in with our lads (trying to teach subtlety to big farmhands), and for a while it can result in leaking soft tries or at least cheaply giving up possession, but once players get used to it is really exciting to watch and can be very effective. If the young bucks there are looking comfortable with it then hopefully it can bed in pretty quickly!

Will keep an eye out for the new kids on the block, Amos and Morgan have impressed whenever I've seen them, I ask about Henson because if he has the leadership skills to get that backline moving there are players like them who can make the breaks outside him. But its been ages since I have actually seen him in action, don't know what level of quality he is capable of!

Yeah didn't think it was televised. Not only is that Ulster game on two BBC channels, it is also on TG4 over in Ireland which normally has the Connacht games. The league is capable of some rank amateurism at times in it's marketability.

Also I imagine the Connacht support will have a pretty warm response to seeing Bernard Jackman, he was very well received for the Grenoble games Smile

by **RiscaGame** Fri Sep 15, 2017 4:36 am

I think we will see some impact off the bench (carrying wise), from Blake and Ellis.

I had a feeling Dorian would be involved this week.

by munkian Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:39 am

'ave it.

Hopefully we'll be able to cover the 3 possible injuries

by **RiscaGame** Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:56 am

Haven't enjoyed myself like that at Dave for a long time. First half was brilliant before the three injuries inevitably stalled our momentum. That first try was a beauty. Totally agree with Dee being MOTM.

Had a good feeling all day about tonight, but that was better than I expected too.

by mikey_dragon Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:05 am

A lot of fans felt the same, after not having felt that way in a long time. Amos' try was superb.

by **RiscaGame** Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:39 am

I bet they did.

I've just been reminded of it, but my favourite moment of the match was Brok's break. Fantastic stuff laughing

by Stone Motif Sat Sep 16, 2017 10:27 am

We'd have lost that last season. Especially with the injuries and the try after half time for them. Undeniably progress, baby steps but progress nonetheless.

by Stone Motif Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:36 pm

Kirchner out for a bit. Carl Meyer to come back in I guess.

by **RiscaGame** Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:27 pm

I think so. Or maybe Hughes or Warren on to the wing.

I agree we'd have fallen apart and lost that last season.

by Stone Motif Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:58 pm

RiscaGame wrote:I think so. Or maybe Hughes or Warren on to the wing.

I agree we'd have fallen apart and lost that last season.

I hope we don't mess Hallam round. He's not a full back.

by **RiscaGame** Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:08 am

I personally thought Hallam wasn't as bright once he moved to 15. I don't see him as a 15. Just guessing what Jackman might do.

by Stone Motif Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:17 pm

RiscaGame wrote:I personally thought Hallam wasn't as bright once he moved to 15. I don't see him as a 15. Just guessing what Jackman might do.

I'm not sure how good Meyer is at distributing but seem to recall he played in midfield for Ebbw. We just need someone who can come in to the line and move the ball to runners. I'd even look at Henson there if Dixon stays in good form.

by Stone Motif Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:29 am

Oh ho! Which back row forward carried the most metres again I wonder...

by Stone Motif Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:57 pm

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15540107.Dragons_ready_to_ring_the_changes_for_Ulster_clash_in_PRO14/

This could be car crash. I can't even guess at how bad the team will be be...

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:39 pm

Stone Motif wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:I personally thought Hallam wasn't as bright once he moved to 15. I don't see him as a 15. Just guessing what Jackman might do.

I'm not sure how good Meyer is at distributing but seem to recall he played in midfield for Ebbw.

I'm sure he played outside half in South Africa too.

by mikey_dragon Mon Sep 18, 2017 11:39 pm

Meyer was probably put to 15 because of his height, I'd have him back there for now and keep Amos on the wing as Amos is much better at joining the line from wing than on others during our attacking plays.

by munkian Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:05 am

DRAGONS SIGN VERSATILE CENTRE THRETTON PALAMO

The 28-year-old linked up with the Welsh Region on Monday at their Ystrad Mynach training base, as they prepare for their GUINNESS PRO14 clash against Ulster this weekend at the Kingspan Stadium.

The versatile player, who can play in the centre and on the wing, joined Bristol in 2016/17 will add support to the Dragons backs due to the recent injuries a few members of the squad have sustained.

The American International represented the USA during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, becoming the youngest player in history to feature in the tournament at that time.

Dragons Head Coach, Bernard Jackman commented: “He is a really good athlete, he is powerful and strong and has been surrounded by good environments since when he was with Saracens as well as during his time at the American 7s programme for the Olympics.

“I know him from when he was with Saracens and he’ll be a good addition to the squad, I look forward to seeing him play.

“He will be included in the match-day 23 for Ulster."

by Stone Motif Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:19 am

USA USA USA etc.

by Guest Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:33 am

Haven't heard much about him. Hasn't played a lot for the clubs he's been at (zero for Biarritz, couple of times for Sarries, a dozen or so for Bristol, etc.). Hope he's not another Andy Tuilagi for us! Although for some reason I feel more confident in Jackman's judgment than I have in previous coaches, although I've got little to base that on. Good luck Thretton!

by Guest Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:35 am

I'm hoping he can Thretton the opposition try line quite a bit! picard

by munkian Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:29 pm

Does this mean Tyler is out for a while ? Gutted if true, it looked like he was enjoying his rugby again before he went off.

by **RiscaGame** Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:19 pm

I overheard Tyler saying at the end, his ribs were gone but the story in the Argus says it's not too bad.

by munkian Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:31 pm

RiscaGame wrote:I overheard Tyler saying at the end, his ribs were gone but the story in the Argus says it's not too bad.

Feel for the guy if it is long term

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:37 am

It's Sam Beard who's out for a while:

'Beard will undergo an operation after tearing his left pectoral muscle against Edinburgh a fortnight ago while Tyler Morgan suffered a minor rib injury in last Friday’s 21-8 win against Connacht.

'Adam Warren, who has not featured so far this season, was set to play in Belfast but has strained a hamstring and won’t be risked'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15544250.UPDATED__Dragons_sign_USA_centre_after_midfield_injury_blows/

by munkian Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:44 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It's Sam Beard who's out for a while:

'Beard will undergo an operation after tearing his left pectoral muscle against Edinburgh a fortnight ago while Tyler Morgan suffered a minor rib injury in last Friday’s 21-8 win against Connacht.

'Adam Warren, who has not featured so far this season, was set to play in Belfast but has strained a hamstring and won’t be risked'

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/15544250.UPDATED__Dragons_sign_USA_centre_after_midfield_injury_blows/

Bugger. Still want to see Gavlar at 12 at some point.

by Cardiff Dave Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:51 pm

Stone Motif wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:They'll need to invest at least £10M to make a difference! Checking the stats it just confirms what I thought, that Thomas and Benjamin have been especially disappointing in the first two weeks, Keddie made more meters than both combined and beat the No7's tackle count.

You don't understand modern rugby at all.

Nor me.
Never was sure about the old way either mind ewe.
Anyway, what specifically has this new chap at the WRU Drags invested his cash in?

by mikey_dragon Fri Sep 22, 2017 3:00 am

Kingsley to Canada, just a few days after I say I'm moving there. Now Stone is going to say that I was KJ all along...

by Stone Motif Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:26 am

mikey_dragon wrote:Kingsley to Canada, just a few days after I say I'm moving there. Now Stone is going to say that I was KJ all along...

Nah. You've never once touted Dorian for Wales. I think in real life you're James Benjamin's mum

by Marshes Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:42 pm

Sorry all didn't get to say and sort of out of mind because I didn't see the match, but well done on the win last week, sounds like we were soundly beaten despite a bit of a second half improvement. Silver lining is it is nice to see Jackman off the mark there and hopefully it's a springboard to kick on thumbsup

by munkian Fri Sep 22, 2017 11:12 pm

Marshes wrote:Sorry all didn't get to say and sort of out of mind because I didn't see the match, but well done on the win last week, sounds like we were soundly beaten despite a bit of a second half improvement. Silver lining is it is nice to see Jackman off the mark there and hopefully it's a springboard to kick on

by Luckless Pedestrian Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:27 am

Never mind all that, just make sure you beat the Blues tomorrow! Wink

by Marshes Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:18 am

They better, hoping with the majority of the pack back in we should see a more solid scrum. Although starting a new 10 who is a bit of an unknown quantity, could be touch and go!

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:30 pm

'Jackman insists he has no regrets over the decision to ring the changes, despite some suggestions that the Dragons had given up the game.

'The head coach will stick to his guns and do the same with certain away games throughout the campaign.

"This is our squad and everybody else rotates their squad," he said. "The Irish have been doing it for years but what they have is depth when they don't have their frontline players.

"I need to get that depth and that's the project. Anyone who plays well will get bumped up the depth chart.

"If you look for a short-term fix all the time to give you comfort and you lose to Ulster by 10 points then that is not going to help you win games in January and February.

"We have to be very selfish about what the Dragons need this year so that we can be good next year.

"I believe we need a really good mix of targeting games to get that winning feeling and also need to upskill the players that don't play in those targeted games."

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15553932.Jackman__I__39_ll_be_ruthless_to_improve_Dragons__39__squad_depth/?ref=rl&lp=1

That all sounds fair enough to me.

by LordDowlais Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:35 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:That all sounds fair enough to me.

Not to me it doesn't.

Look, I am not going to get into the semantics of it all on here, as I will just get shouted out of town by some of the more passionate Gwent Dragon supporters on this forum. But what went on in that fixture was wrong.

by Stone Motif Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:58 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:'Jackman insists he has no regrets over the decision to ring the changes, despite some suggestions that the Dragons had given up the game.

'The head coach will stick to his guns and do the same with certain away games throughout the campaign.

"This is our squad and everybody else rotates their squad," he said. "The Irish have been doing it for years but what they have is depth when they don't have their frontline players.

"I need to get that depth and that's the project. Anyone who plays well will get bumped up the depth chart.

"If you look for a short-term fix all the time to give you comfort and you lose to Ulster by 10 points then that is not going to help you win games in January and February.

"We have to be very selfish about what the Dragons need this year so that we can be good next year.

"I believe we need a really good mix of targeting games to get that winning feeling and also need to upskill the players that don't play in those targeted games."

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15553932.Jackman__I__39_ll_be_ruthless_to_improve_Dragons__39__squad_depth/?ref=rl&lp=1

That all sounds fair enough to me.

I agree, Chris Kirwan wrote an excellent article the gist of which sunhat there are too many players on the books who are not equipped to play at this level. They need to shape up or ship out.

by Stone Motif Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:59 pm

LordDowlais wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:That all sounds fair enough to me.

Not to me it doesn't.

Look, I am not going to get into the semantics of it all on here, as I will just get shouted out of town by some of the more passionate Gwent Dragon supporters on this forum. But what went on in that fixture was wrong.

Surely this cannot be the same Andy Howell who has so frequently castigated the Dragons for not giving youth a chance?

by LordDowlais Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:01 pm

Dragons 'not at the level' - Ward

Former Ireland flanker Andy Ward criticises a second-string Dragons side after their 52-25 loss at Ulster.

Dragons coach Bernard Jackman, who made 13 changes for the Pro14 game at the Kingspan Stadium, then explains his selection with regard to player development.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41379984

by LordDowlais Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:05 pm

Stone Motif wrote:Surely this cannot be the same ~~Andy Howell~~ LordDowlais who has so frequently castigated the Dragons for not giving youth a chance?

I am all for giving youth a chance, just not 13 of them all at the same time. What was done on Friday night by Dragons was inexcusable.

Not that you would admit it though. Rolling Eyes

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