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

[RiscaGame]

First topic message reminder :

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]

You really want to go back and watch that? Couldn’t pay me to go there, let alone go there and pay to watch. Roberts aside that backline needs to hand in their resignation. Yes I include Sam Davies in that. No words for Dixon...

[RiscaGame]

I never thought I’d see the day, where we would have a pack who have scrum parity and a driving lineout, but our backs be so garbage.

I guess we were going to be slightly rusty, but the backs were so poor last night, it’s as if they haven’t been training together either. So frustrating.

Have to be fair to Hibbard for once and say his lineout was spot on. Obviously the hat trick gets the headlines, but anybody could’ve scored all three.

Stupid mistakes last night, cost us. Maksymiw piggybacking penalties really annoyed me.

[mikey_dragon]

There doesn’t seem to be an advancing defensive line, Connacht’s was much better. Their back are a bit light though, yet in attack we kept missing out Roberts.

Maksymiw is a good lineout target and does well there, probably doesn’t offer enough elsewhere though. Carter and Taylor are very good lineout operators too.

[RiscaGame]

Yeah, their defence gave Davies no time, that’s why I am trying not to be critical of him, as I don’t think any other ten of ours would’ve done any better.

[mikey_dragon]

We've signed Dan Baker

[RiscaGame]

In two minds about this. Wonder how fit he is. Obviously he's fitter than a few of our other backrow forwards at the minute   , but I am not sure if he will be in good nick now having been injured, then playing D2 in France (or whatever it was).

Big start for him anyway, with Leinster his first game after the Edinburgh game was postponed.

[mikey_dragon]

We’ve signed Argie scrum-half Gonzalo Bertanou. Sounds like he’s available right away. I heard the commentators link us with him during the Connacht game but I didn’t really catch the name. Great signing, we need more control at 9. Now we can hopefully offload Knoyle.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I saw it was mooted, but fair play, that's a good signing for us.

[LordDowlais]

You've also signed that young full back from Cardiff Ioan Davies.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Yeah apparently some Blues fans aren't happy about that, they think it might lead to a full-time deal.

[RiscaGame]

Pretty handy 9. To be honest, the 15 is handy too as we do tend to pick up injuries in our back three.

Knoyle has another season yet. Baldwin is likely to leave, seeing as he's only on loan.

[mikey_dragon]

What about Daf Howells? He was a good player but isn't now, and we've given him plenty of chances.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

He's been injured a lot, hasn't he?

[mikey_dragon]

Yes, a lot. When not injured I think he failed the test. A shame as he did look promising early in his career. I don't think he's needed if we have Hewitt, Holmes, Williams, with Jenkins and Talbot-Davies behind them. Too bad Glaws won't get relegated as we could have swooped in for LRZ...

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm pretty sure we would have been outswooped, in fairness!

[RiscaGame]

Dragons: J Williams; J Holmes , A Owen, J Dixon, A Hewitt; S Davies, R Williams; B Harris, R Hibbard, L Fairbrother, J Davies, B Carter, M Screech , B Fry, H Taylor.

Replacements: E Shipp, G Bateman, C Coleman, J Maksymiw, D Baker, L Baldwin, J Lewis, C Edwards.

Leinster: M O'Reilly; C Kelleher, R O'Loughlin, R Byrne, D Kearney; H Byrne, L McGrath (captain); P Dooley, J Tracy, M Bent, R Molony, R Baird, J Murphy, S Penny, J Conan.

Replacements: D Sheehan, M Hanan, T Clarkson, D Toner, S Fardy, R Osborne, D Hawkshaw, J Osborne.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Eight back rowers unavailable, seven through injury, that's not what you want when Leinster are coming to town. You'd never start Screech in the back row if you had a choice.

[mikey_dragon]

I thought Carter might have been the obvious choice at 6.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm happy that Sam Davies is staying, but I'll be happier again if his goalkicking improves. We're never likely to score so many tries that kicks at goal aren't significant. I'm sure he is working on it, I just want that work to bear fruit!

Apparently Bertranou is already in Newport and working / training with the squad. I don't know how that works lockdown-wise, but there we are. I watched a highlights reel of him yesterday, he looks a good player.

[RiscaGame]

I'm happy that Sam Davies is staying, but I'll be happier again if his goalkicking improves. We're never likely to score so many tries that kicks at goal aren't significant. I'm sure he is working on it, I just want that work to bear fruit!

Apparently Bertranou is already in Newport and working / training with the squad. I don't know how that works lockdown-wise, but there we are. I watched a highlights reel of him yesterday, he looks a good player.

Davies is such a good player for us obviously. I have seen lots of his videos, where he does work on his kicking etc so maybe it's just the general pressure associated with it during live games?

He does look a good player. I assume he is living in that house thing within the grounds, if he's close to RP as the SWA suggest. Regardless, good to see he is being integrated already.

[mikey_dragon]

Davies needs to up his whole game, not just goal-kicking. I had hoped for another fly-half to come in too seeing as all 3 aren't very good.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Davies needs to up his whole game, not just goal-kicking. I had hoped for another fly-half to come in too seeing as all 3 aren't very good.

It's one of those positions where good players are very highly valued, so we're always going to struggle to get the real quality players with the budget (and image) we've got. We're lucky that Leon Brown is home grown because good tight heads don't come cheap either. Having said that, I did hear a rumour that Jarrod Evans might be on the cards for us, if the Blues bring Priestland back from Bath.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'm happy that Sam Davies is staying, but I'll be happier again if his goalkicking improves. We're never likely to score so many tries that kicks at goal aren't significant. I'm sure he is working on it, I just want that work to bear fruit!

Apparently Bertranou is already in Newport and working / training with the squad. I don't know how that works lockdown-wise, but there we are. I watched a highlights reel of him yesterday, he looks a good player.

Davies is such a good player for us obviously. I have seen lots of his videos, where he does work on his kicking etc so maybe it's just the general pressure associated with it during live games?

He does look a good player. I assume he is living in that house thing within the grounds, if he's close to RP as the SWA suggest. Regardless, good to see he is being integrated already.

There'll be a blue plaque up from when Dorian lived there

[RiscaGame]

[mikey_dragon]

Davies needs to up his whole game, not just goal-kicking. I had hoped for another fly-half to come in too seeing as all 3 aren't very good.

It's one of those positions where good players are very highly valued, so we're always going to struggle to get the real quality players with the budget (and image) we've got. We're lucky that Leon Brown is home grown because good tight heads don't come cheap either. Having said that, I did hear a rumour that Jarrod Evans might be on the cards for us, if the Blues bring Priestland back from Bath.

RP is there from Bath, and Dai says they want to keep Jarrod too. I can't see it happening even if he was available anyway. If we get an additional fly-half I imagine it would be someone like AOB. Would like to see regional movement of a Scarlets LH and an Ospreys hooker too, not necessarily to us but it would be nice.

[thebandwagonsociety]

Dragons: J Williams; J Holmes , A Owen, J Dixon, A Hewitt; S Davies, R Williams; B Harris, R Hibbard, L Fairbrother, J Davies, B Carter, M Screech , B Fry, H Taylor.

Replacements: E Shipp, G Bateman, C Coleman, J Maksymiw, D Baker, L Baldwin, J Lewis, C Edwards.

Leinster: M O'Reilly; C Kelleher, R O'Loughlin, R Byrne, D Kearney; H Byrne, L McGrath (captain); P Dooley, J Tracy, M Bent, R Molony, R Baird, J Murphy, S Penny, J Conan.

Replacements: D Sheehan, M Hanan, T Clarkson, D Toner, S Fardy, R Osborne, D Hawkshaw, J Osborne.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Hometown referee, is what it is really? Starting front row is Pro14 quality (will be interesting to see how the replacement front row get on). Leinster backrow of Josh, Penny and Jack should have a high energy level and good competition in it, almost looks like a team that wants that trio to play the full 80 minutes with two lock replacements on the bench (decent if aging options). It would be nice to see Jamie Osborne get a decent run out in this match. Playing the game with two outhalfs, will be curious how that turns out.

[mikey_dragon]

Well Baker’s going to be a good signing...

[RiscaGame]

When he’s got a few more minutes under his belt, he will be good. Be interesting to see what we do, when we have Moriarty back very soon. I guess they’ll play Moriarty 6.

Good to see players like Shipp and Bateman doing bits too. I was pretty frustrated with our starting front three in comparison to theirs, as they don’t offer much around the park. Leinster’s pack are so mobile and good carriers.

Pretty good game. Defence was a bit soft at times, but you have to give Dragons credit for sticking in there.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah I was pleased with the amount of points we scored. Leinster are always going to score 4 tries or more I guess; they’re unstoppable. Their front 5 isn’t massive, but they were very mobile and powerful in contact. Shall we mention Sam Davies’ evening with the kicking tee?

[RiscaGame]

Fair play to him aye. I know he seemingly had the wind for most of the harder kicks, but he didn’t shirk from taking them on.

Hope it continues.

[mikey_dragon]

Too bad Ben Shi*tehouse got it wrong with the first yellow. Big call.

[RiscaGame]

I can’t believe Ben Fry has only had 11 games. I know he’s new, but that seems low still. Fair play to him.

[RiscaGame]

I thought the yellow was fair, but I know you’re not alone in thinking it was a poor call.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Yeah I was pleased with the amount of points we scored. Leinster are always going to score 4 tries or more I guess; they’re unstoppable. Their front 5 isn’t massive, but they were very mobile and powerful in contact. Shall we mention Sam Davies’ evening with the kicking tee?

Yep, much more like it from the tee, really good to see.

Even though we led at half time, you would still have made Leinster favourites, firstly because they would have the wind, and secondly because their first-half tries came relatively simply. Even with their Test players away, they're so well-drilled, and I mean this as a compliment, but they're very good at sussing out referees and figuring out what they can get away with. (Having said that, they conceded 16 penalties, and there wasn't a peep of a warning from Whitehouse.)

There were plenty of positives to take from that, it's just a shame we had that 10 - 15 minutes after half time where we didn't seem fully switched on. You might get away with lapses against some sides, but not this lot. Aneurin Bevan Bowen Owen (Eddie Butler got it right eventually) looks very promising in midfield, and clearly Ben Fry was very prominent. I noticed Ross Harries listed some of the players we were missing in the back row - Wainwright, Griffiths, Moriarty, Basham, plus Keddie who he didn't mention - and we really are so well stocked there.

On Sam Davies kicking the ball out at the end, I heard Dean Ryan's reasoning, and I do understand it, but for me, it might be a long time until we next find ourselves in a match with possession of the ball, the clock in the red, and a chance of nicking a game we looked like we were out of. Throw in how relatively rare home wins are for us, how much rarer again wins against Irish provinces are, and part of me wishes we'd gone for it. We're not going to win the league, and we can't get relegated, so a losing bonus point isn't worth much to us in the grand scheme of things.

[mikey_dragon]

There were plenty of positives to take from that, it's just a shame we had that 10 - 15 minutes after half time where we didn't seem fully switched on. You might get away with lapses against some sides, but not this lot. Aneurin Bevan Bowen Owen (Eddie Butler got it right eventually) looks very promising in midfield, and clearly Ben Fry was very prominent. I noticed Ross Harries listed some of the players we were missing in the back row - Wainwright, Griffiths, Moriarty, Basham, plus Keddie who he didn't mention - and we really are so well stocked there.

Yeah that was my only gripe with the yellows, how they were issued. He was quite hot on the whistle but there was definitely no consistency with that first yellow.

I've noticed that with Eddie Butler, if he's not getting the players' name wrong, he'll get them mixed up. For example, Jack Dixon will take the ball up - "Jonah Holmes takes the ball and gets stopped on the advantage line." He's been doing it for a couple seasons now. It's annoying and really amateur.

[RiscaGame]

There were plenty of positives to take from that, it's just a shame we had that 10 - 15 minutes after half time where we didn't seem fully switched on. You might get away with lapses against some sides, but not this lot. Aneurin Bevan Bowen Owen (Eddie Butler got it right eventually) looks very promising in midfield, and clearly Ben Fry was very prominent. I noticed Ross Harries listed some of the players we were missing in the back row - Wainwright, Griffiths, Moriarty, Basham, plus Keddie who he didn't mention - and we really are so well stocked there.

On Sam Davies kicking the ball out at the end, I heard Dean Ryan's reasoning, and I do understand it, but for me, it might be a long time until we next find ourselves in a match with possession of the ball, the clock in the red, and a chance of nicking a game we looked like we were out of. Throw in how relatively rare home wins are for us, how much rarer again wins against Irish provinces are, and part of me wishes we'd gone for it. We're not going to win the league, and we can't get relegated, so a losing bonus point isn't worth much to us in the grand scheme of things.

The third quarter definitely didn't help. Sometimes we don't help ourselves with that, especially with currently playing two people who are probably at the edge of their fitness (Harris and Hibbard) and having played for a bit with 13 men too. I wonder now, if we may start looking at Bateman to start? I would start Shipp too, as I feel like we will get more out of him but Ryan doesn't seem willing to do that.

I think Davies must've been knackered personally. I thought he didn't look overly comfortable towards the end, as if he was struggling with something. The pitch would certainly have tested his calf issue too. I would still have gone for it tbh, but it is what it is.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's certainly true to say that we'd have taken a losing bonus point before the game.

[RiscaGame]

Yeah and I never really envisaged us getting one at most points of the game, even say at 15-14 up at HT.

[LordDowlais]

I try not to say these things on here anymore as it upsets too many people, but I felt Dragons had a very harsh ride from the ref.

[mikey_dragon]

Ummm yeah we've given Coleman a contract extension.

Carter and Owen commit too which is good. The last of the 4 is Will Reed, don't think he's played much if any senior rugby. Strikes me as "we hope this guy is better than Josh Lewis."

Roberts and Moriarty could feature in the next match which is against Zebre I believe.

[RiscaGame]

Coleman is a bit like Leon Brown was, to be fair. He needs to play like Brown did, but he’s not really going to get that opportunity without a decent As setup first.

Reed is so highly rated amongst a few Dragons supporters. I remember him featuring in that A game against Scarlets this season and doing alright (I think). Don’t really like tens with scrum caps mind, as they remind me of Catflap Morgan ha.

Great that those two are back. Great that Keddie is fit too. I suspect as Screech is out with a head injury, Keddie will start 6 and I think they may start Baker 8 this week too. Fry 7, Moriarty impact. Always happy to see a Dragons side with Doc at 12 too.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I assume Zebre will be missing a hell of a lot more players to the Six Nations than we are, so we really shouldn't be losing over there.

[RiscaGame]

Not after our great win there last season too

In fact we haven't lost in Italy for two years. Never mind about how many games we have played during that time, it's a great record.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Oh I didn't know that, that's much better than I thought.

[RiscaGame]

I didn't know it was that long, I just knew we had beaten both Zebre and Benetton away fairly recently.

[mikey_dragon]

Zebre looked quite tough up front against Ospreys, I imagine we'd find it tough too. Hopefully it's decent weather and they get a Red Card.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I watched the last 20 minutes or so of that match, they kept hold of the ball quite well, and they like to keep it alive, but there wasn't much of a cutting edge*. Rhys Webb's try was a horrible one to concede, they would have been fancying their chances before that.

* - I realise we don't have much of a cutting edge ourselves!

[mikey_dragon]

Looks like the strongest team we’ve put out for a while. Looking forward to seeing the Argie.

[RiscaGame]

It really does seem a good side. I was pleasantly surprised with it. Bit of impact off the bench too, in Baker, Williams, and Doc. I probably would've started Roberts over Dixon and Baker over Taylor, but I can't be too greedy.

[RiscaGame]

Dragons (v Zebre): Jordan Williams, Jonah Holmes, Aneurin Owen, Jack Dixon, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Gonzalo Bertranou; Greg Bateman, Ellis Shipp, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Joe Maksymiw, Harrison Keddie (c), Ben Fry, Huw Taylor

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Josh Reynolds, Aaron Jarvis, Joe Davies, Dan Baker, Rhodri Williams, Josh Lewis, Jamie Roberts

Shame about the awful kick off time though. What kind of scheduling is that?

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