Dragons vs Edinburgh 23/02

Dougie Fife will make his 100th appearance for Edinburgh after being named at fullback for tomorrow night’s Guinness PRO14 meeting with Dragons at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park (Friday 23 February, kick-off 7.30pm).

Head Coach Richard Cockerill has made just two changes to the side who earned a dramatic victory away to Ulster last weekend.

After crossing the whitewash at the Kingspan Stadium, Jason Harries keeps his place on the wing. The Welshman is joined on the opposite flank by Duhan van der Merwe, Fife at fullback.

In the midfield, James Johnstone returns to the starting XV to partner Chris Dean. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Jaco van der Walt continue their half-back partnership.

An unchanged front-row sees Neil Cochrane pack down alongside Murray McCallum and Samoan international Jordan Lay, whilst last weekend’s try-scorer, Lewis Carmichael, and club captain Fraser McKenzie keep their place in the second-row.

After an impactful performance from the bench against Ulster, Magnus Bradbury returns to first team action alongside John Hardie and Bill Mata in the back-row.

Head Coach, Richard Cockerill said: “It’s another game that we want to win and so we’ve chosen a relatively unchanged side, who we believe have the quality to go to Ebbw Vale and get a result.

“Although we were happy with the win against Ulster, there are still lots of areas of our game in which we need improve, and if we don’t them right against the Dragons, then we’ll be punished.

“They’re a dangerous side, who at home are capable of beating anyone. So we’ll need to be at our very best in all facets of our game.”



Edinburgh team to face Dragons in the Guinness PRO14 at Eugene Cross Park on Friday 23 February (kick-off 7.30pm)



15. Dougie Fife (99)



14. Jason Harries (7)

13. James Johnstone (14)

12. Chris Dean (59)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (10)



10. Jaco van der Walt (10)

9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (102)



1. Jordan Lay (4)

2. Neil Cochrane (68)

3. Murray McCallum (35)

4. Fraser McKenzie (97) CAPTAIN

5. Lewis Carmichael (25)

6. Magnus Bradbury (45)

7. John Hardie (26)

8. Bill Mata (30)



Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton (8); 17. Rory Sutherland (59); 18. Elliot Millar-Mills (3); 19. Cornell du Preez (97); 20. Luke Crosbie (10); 21. Nathan Fowles (52); 22. Duncan Weir (27); 23. Junior Rasolea (24)

No TV coverage of this game, so will hope for radio or at least following on twitter.

Edinburgh need to win here, to try and consolidate 3rd place.

With Scarlets taking on Ulster on Sat could be further opportunities to close the gap on Scarlets or take a few points lead on Ulster.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16041006.TEAM_NEWS__Fly_half_Jones_gets_chance_to_shine_with_Dragons_start_in_Ebbw

Shanks covering lock by the looks.

Dragons: H Amos, R Dyer, Z Kirchner, J Dixon, J Rosser, D Jones, C Davies, S Hobbs, L Belcher, L Brown, J Davies, R Landman, A Wainwright, J Benjamin, L Evans (captain). Replacements: E Shipp, G Ellis, L Fairbrother, H Keddie, O Griffiths, S Pretorius, C Edwards, J Sage.

Had a feeling Kirchner would be at 13 for this, with Griffiths defending at centre in training, whilst he covered 15 (in the absence of Amos). Feel very sorry for Dorian, as he won’t get much time on the ball whilst Charlie Davies takes his three steps before passing.

Some impact off the bench, certainly from Fairbrother, Keddie, Griffiths and Pretorious. Ellis puts himself about a bit too. Not much from the two outside backs really and we are in a position where Kirchner is our ten cover.

Stone Motif wrote:http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16041006.TEAM_NEWS__Fly_half_Jones_gets_chance_to_shine_with_Dragons_start_in_Ebbw

Shanks covering lock by the looks.

That’s what Chris Kirwan thought, in the article he wrote about Griffiths’ return.

RiscaGame wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16041006.TEAM_NEWS__Fly_half_Jones_gets_chance_to_shine_with_Dragons_start_in_Ebbw

Shanks covering lock by the looks.

That’s what Chris Kirwan thought, in the article he wrote about Griffiths’ return.

Being as I'm on the same page as Chris on most things, the article may have contained reference to Embra's renowned powder puff pack bumming us into next week should this happen, or indeed from about 60 mins on when Landman and Davies are knackered

Agreed. Although he is like for like with Landman for conceding penalties.

RiscaGame wrote:Agreed. Although he is like for like with Landman for conceding penalties.

Just a few stone lighter and a short arse by comparison. More I think about it, if we're chucking it round from the off, why isn't Keddie starting anyway?

When you said about Shanks covering lock, I checked the article to see if Keddie was mentioned as the lock cover as he’s bigger at least.

But besides that, I’ve said elsewhere I’d start Keddie because with the way our forwards play, you have to have your more forceful carriers starting. Carrying from a standing start needs Ollie Griffiths dynamism or it tends to get nowhere.

RiscaGame wrote:When you said about Shanks covering lock, I checked the article to see if Keddie was mentioned as the lock cover as he’s bigger at least.

But besides that, I’ve said elsewhere I’d start Keddie because with the way our forwards play, you have to have your more forceful carriers starting. Carrying from a standing start needs Ollie Griffiths dynamism or it tends to get nowhere.

I totally agree. Lots of teams are going for it for the off these days with 'closers' on the bench. Why not start with Keddie or even Griffiths at 8 if that's the plan? Still reckon Shanks is arguably one of our best carriers in traffic, but if that's why you're picking him put him at six.

Bit daft playing tonight with France v Italy on the telly.
Dowlais v Risca playing too.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Bit daft playing tonight with France v Italy on the telly.
Dowlais v Risca playing too.

As in 'Lord' v 'Game'?

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Bit daft playing tonight with France v Italy on the telly.
Dowlais v Risca playing too.

As in 'Lord' v 'Game'?

Crossed my mind.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Bit daft playing tonight with France v Italy on the telly.
Dowlais v Risca playing too.

As in 'Lord' v 'Game'?

Crossed my mind.

I'd dust off the regional cheque book for that one!

I was waiting for the end of the season, to see if we stayed above them and do the it was always obvious Risca is better than Dowlais post.

In terms of that game tonight, Risca have a few seconds playing, so they may well lose tonight.

Dowlais’ pitch is frozen, as it turns out. Not surprising, given the weather. Bet Ebbw will be boiling too

RiscaGame wrote:Dowlais’ pitch is frozen, as it turns out. Not surprising, given the weather. Bet Ebbw will be boiling too

The Dragons match is gonna be called off isn't it

Stone Motif wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Dowlais’ pitch is frozen, as it turns out. Not surprising, given the weather. Bet Ebbw will be boiling too

The Dragons match is gonna be called off isn't it

Shewerly there's enough hot air about to enshewer the pitch is playable? Shewerly?

RiscaGame wrote:Dowlais’ pitch is frozen, as it turns out. Not surprising, given the weather. Bet Ebbw will be boiling too

Warm as toast under those covers, I bet.
Any radio commentary? Wouldn't mind listening while watching French game.

Game on then. Must be blydi freezing sat in the temp stand.

Edinburgh leave it late once again with a BP try right at the death!

http://www.dragonsrugby.wales/News/Article/51508

Buttress is flying, I reckon.

Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

"No"

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

"No"

Aint rocket science.
Read that the Drags are signing a stirrer. Isn't me btw.

Ewe shewer?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

"No"

Aint rocket science.
Read that the Drags are signing a stirrer. Isn't me btw.

What’s a ‘stirrer’, in rugby terms???

The Oracle wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

"No"

Aint rocket science.
Read that the Drags are signing a stirrer. Isn't me btw.

What’s a ‘stirrer’, in rugby terms???

It's a typo. We're getting a stinker

Highlights

https://www.facebook.com/PRO14Official/videos/2009760229052108/

Stone Motif wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Well done Edinburgh

Dragons. Meh. Always chasing the game. 0-15 at one point? I’m not that bothered though, sadly.

I know the feeling.
Chin up mun and it's the data-driven Drags now. Wonder what the computer says today?

"No"

Aint rocket science.
Read that the Drags are signing a stirrer. Isn't me btw.

What’s a ‘stirrer’, in rugby terms???

It's a typo. We're getting a stinker

I was right

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/16051290.Dragons_sign_prop_Bevington_from_Bristol/