The Official Rygbi Cymru Thread

[bessantj]

Nick Tompkins: Wales centre understands fans' frustration over modern rugby

"Myself, I want to attack and get ball in hand and pass and play, but at the end of the day we are playing Test rugby to win.

*looks at recent results* What?

[penguin]

Thoroughly enjoyed the Dragons win out in Italy, even if the gameplan of largely kicking the crap out of the ball was not great at times. Lovely moves for the Hewitt and Roberts tries, Dixon looking like the player we hoped he could be off the bench, backrow being an absolute bloody nuisance, Rhodri Williams the stand out for me - control, clever kicking, impish runs - he was superb. Also Ellis Shipp - every time I see him play he impresses me. Still needs to sharpen up his throwing, but it's his handling and decision making ball in hand which I really like. He seems to be happy to put himself about but has deft touches to go with it.

One gripe - Owen Jenkins. He didn't do too much wrong - he seems solid enough, and the pick up to almost score at the death was good, but is he really better than Rosser or Dyer? I'd really like to see the youngsters get more chances. Jenkins looks like squad filler to me.

[bessantj]

Thoroughly enjoyed the Dragons win out in Italy, even if the gameplan of largely kicking the crap out of the ball was not great at times. Lovely moves for the Hewitt and Roberts tries, Dixon looking like the player we hoped he could be off the bench, backrow being an absolute bloody nuisance, Rhodri Williams the stand out for me - control, clever kicking, impish runs - he was superb. Also Ellis Shipp - every time I see him play he impresses me. Still needs to sharpen up his throwing, but it's his handling and decision making ball in hand which I really like. He seems to be happy to put himself about but has deft touches to go with it.

One gripe - Owen Jenkins. He didn't do too much wrong - he seems solid enough, and the pick up to almost score at the death was good, but is he really better than Rosser or Dyer? I'd really like to see the youngsters get more chances. Jenkins looks like squad filler to me.

Great to hear they played well. I was working so couldn't watch it.

[penguin]

Great to hear they played well. I was working so couldn't watch it.

No one is going to mistake us for the rugby equivalent of the Harlem globetrotters, but there were some nice touches to go with the pragmatic, gritty defence/don't play in our half stuff. Should have nailed the bonus point though. Just not able to keep our composure at times when attacking.

Glasgow away next week - about time we put in a good display against someone a level above us (although Benetton away normally would be in that category but with so many internationals away I don't think it counts really).

[bessantj]

Great to hear they played well. I was working so couldn't watch it.

No one is going to mistake us for the rugby equivalent of the Harlem globetrotters, but there were some nice touches to go with the pragmatic, gritty defence/don't play in our half stuff. Should have nailed the bonus point though. Just not able to keep our composure at times when attacking.

Glasgow away next week - about time we put in a good display against someone a level above us (although Benetton away normally would be in that category but with so many internationals away I don't think it counts really).

The composure complaint is a very important one I think. the Dragons will have possession but then come under pressure and instead of maybe switching up tactics they often just infringe.

[penguin]

Great to hear they played well. I was working so couldn't watch it.

No one is going to mistake us for the rugby equivalent of the Harlem globetrotters, but there were some nice touches to go with the pragmatic, gritty defence/don't play in our half stuff. Should have nailed the bonus point though. Just not able to keep our composure at times when attacking.

Glasgow away next week - about time we put in a good display against someone a level above us (although Benetton away normally would be in that category but with so many internationals away I don't think it counts really).

The composure complaint is a very important one I think. the Dragons will have possession but then come under pressure and instead of maybe switching up tactics they often just infringe.

Yeah. Once we're slowed down we find it super hard to find a way to make the defence work hard again. Invariably, unless we put it in the air, we try to grind it forward and get turned over. That's where I'd like us to find a way to bring Roberts in on short balls...we don't seem to do it as much as I would like from rucks. Set pieces are starting to become effective with him or Hewitt off 10, inside and out, but well positioned rucks we never seem to get him involved with anything like the frequency I'd expect. Still, I'm glad to be complaining about problems after a win.

[bessantj]

The few times I've seen the Dragons play I've thought they've used Roberts well as a crash ball centre. It is a great way to get the ball going forward again.

[penguin]

The few times I've seen the Dragons play I've thought they've used Roberts well as a crash ball centre. It is a great way to get the ball going forward again.

Off set piece they do it well - they need to start finding ways to bring him into the game more often in phase play. It happens, just not as much as I would like.

I see Moriarty is out with an ankle op. Shame that - would have been interesting to see how we could go with our first choice backrow available. Still, Keddie, Griffiths and Wainwright should be a good combination.

[bessantj]

The few times I've seen the Dragons play I've thought they've used Roberts well as a crash ball centre. It is a great way to get the ball going forward again.

Off set piece they do it well - they need to start finding ways to bring him into the game more often in phase play. It happens, just not as much as I would like.

I see Moriarty is out with an ankle op. Shame that - would have been interesting to see how we could go with our first choice backrow available. Still, Keddie, Griffiths and Wainwright should be a good combination.

I'm hoping that Keddie can come on and get better, though he is pretty good.

[dantedelew]

Surprise team announcement.

Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James Botham, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

I'm quite looking forward to this tbh.

[Theflier]

We are lucky its at home

[penguin]

Like the thought of Sheedy at 10, with Lloyd coming on with the dancing feet later on. Backrow looks better for having Tipuric back...bit surprised to see Botham ahead of Lewis-Hughes and Wainwright.

I love the look of that back 3. North at 13 is a bit of a kick in the teeth for Tompkins. Hopefully he has a good run with the Dragons after and refinds his form.

Overall, I like to see so many breakdown pests there - Wyn Jones and Nicky Smith both offer a lot there, Parry is perhaps the best hooker we have at the breakdown, and of course Tips back...so hopefully we get some good turnover ball to work off.

[Theflier]

Not happy seeing Botham there, one outrageous tackle against Joseph aside, he's not as capable as so many other players right now.

I guess average Jonny is our next world class centre and there's not one player outside 10 who can pass a ball there.

The list who should be number 23 over holmes is longer than my arm.

Rowlands most brilliant skill is his ability to make his 6'10 body appear almost invisible for 80 minutes

Sigh

[frodder]

Surprise team announcement.

Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James Botham, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

I'm quite looking forward to this tbh.

In what way?

That's a fudging shocking selection. Hardy, North at centre/anywhere, Botham, Johnny average

[dantedelew]

Surprise team announcement.

Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James Botham, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

I'm quite looking forward to this tbh.

In what way?

That's a fudging shocking selection. Hardy, North at centre/anywhere, Botham, Johnny average

In a delusional way?

[frodder]

Surprise team announcement.

Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James Botham, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

I'm quite looking forward to this tbh.

In what way?

That's a fudging shocking selection. Hardy, North at centre/anywhere, Botham, Johnny average

In a delusional way?

That's the spirit

[penguin]

Dragons (v Glasgow Warriors): Josh Lewis, Jared Rosser, Jack Dixon, Jamie Roberts, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Ellis Shipp, Aaron Jarvis, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech, Harrison Keddie, Taine Basham, Ollie Griffiths

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Conor Maguire, Chris Coleman, Joe Maksymiw, Huw Taylor, Tavis Knoyle, Nick Tompkins, Owen Jenkins

Backrow is great, Shipp starting over Hibbard is a good move I think, Rosser back in over Owen Jenkins I'm very happy about, centre combination does not look like one for dry weather and a fast track, but if we get decent ball could be difficult, looking forward to seeing Ben Carter in action.

Not expecting a huge amount but a good yardstick if we are actually making progress or still flattering to deceive.

[Theflier]

Fair to say Max Williams pro career is already over?

[frodder]

Stand up Dragons

[Theflier]

After the dishing Murphy gave us last week, this is karmic justice at its best.



Fucking amateur

[Jeff the Bear]

Well done Dragons! I must admit, when Glasgow went over, I turned off the TV...and genuinely thought someone was taking the piss when I saw someone else congratulating the Dragons.

Got to love that young Welsh backrow. Great performance.

[penguin]

Really good game, dragon's defence is getting better at handling the direct physical stuff. Ollie griffiths outstanding again. What a player. Rhodri Williams was fantastic, one dodgy kick aside.

I've been hoping to see rosser back in the side and I think he showed why he's a different class of winger from jenkins. A natural finisher, genuine pace and carries with real intensity.

One gripe with a generally well reffed game, why was tagive not carded? Ref seemed to suggest it was because he'd just given a card, but shouldn't have been a factor. Could have made a huge difference going into the final ten.

Still, great win. Got to feel for the kicker but delighted to get the rub of the green on that one.

[Theflier]

How long will the ban be?

[dantedelew]

What are we looking at there?

[fishfoodie]

What are we looking at there?

A knee in the face in the tackle behind the ruck

[dantedelew]

Ah, couldn't see on phone.
Doesn't look great does it.
Could it be regarded as the risk you take when poorly executing a front on "tackle"?

[The Druid]

It's just possible we may have seen the end of AWJs international career yesterday with that injury, hope not he has been one of our greatest players and captains ever.

[fishfoodie]

Ah, couldn't see on phone.
Doesn't look great does it.
Could it be regarded as the risk you take when poorly executing a front on "tackle"?

I don't think so; there was a bit of a look down; & if he didn't notice the bloke hanging around his waist, he should consult a neurologist

[dantedelew]

Ah, couldn't see on phone.
Doesn't look great does it.
Could it be regarded as the risk you take when poorly executing a front on "tackle"?

I don't think so; there was a bit of a look down; & if he didn't notice the bloke hanging around his waist, he should consult a neurologist

Unfortunately, given his injury history, he probably has one on speed dial.

[fishfoodie]

Ah, couldn't see on phone.
Doesn't look great does it.
Could it be regarded as the risk you take when poorly executing a front on "tackle"?

I don't think so; there was a bit of a look down; & if he didn't notice the bloke hanging around his waist, he should consult a neurologist

Unfortunately, given his injury history, he probably has one on speed dial.

I shouldn't but ...

[bessantj]

After the dishing Murphy gave us last week, this is karmic justice at its best.



Fucking amateur

That's just pornography.

[penguin]

Don't want to get too carried away but 31 tackles, no misses, from Ben Carter on full debut...that is impressive.

[bessantj]

Don't want to get too carried away but 31 tackles, no misses, from Ben Carter on full debut...that is impressive.

I know Glasgow had players missing but second string sides are usually enough to beat the Dragons so it feels like something tantamount to progress. It's also nice to get revenge for the Blues.

[penguin]

Don't want to get too carried away but 31 tackles, no misses, from Ben Carter on full debut...that is impressive.

I know Glasgow had players missing but second string sides are usually enough to beat the Dragons so it feels like something tantamount to progress. It's also nice to get revenge for the Blues.

There's progress in a few areas - it's clear everyone is on the same page, both in defence and in attack. Set piece moves are coming off more regularly - good thinking but crucially good execution. The defence coped with the one up type running with greater physicality than many recent Dragons sides could manage. Glasgow couldn't just punch holes, they really had to work for openings even when we were down to 14.

The sheer willingness to work too, there's real urgency in a lot of the work - over 200 tackles and at the end of the game they went through 5 minutes of gruelling tackling and there was no shirking. In times past someone would have done something stupid or a tired weak link would have seen the line broken far earlier. It was a phenomenal effort (I know they conceded in the end but they were really working for each other throughout). They look like a coherent unit.

Our kicking strategy is not sexy but it is effective. Three kickers in Rhodri, Sam and Josh Lewis certainly worked well. I'm hoping that we see Jordan or Holmes at FB at some point though - would be good to have a bit more running threat from 15.

[bessantj]

The sheer willingness to work too, there's real urgency in a lot of the work - over 200 tackles and at the end of the game they went through 5 minutes of gruelling tackling and there was no shirking. In times past someone would have done something stupid or a tired weak link would have seen the line broken far earlier. It was a phenomenal effort (I know they conceded in the end but they were really working for each other throughout). They look like a coherent unit.

It's good to hear they put in such a huge shift and got the reward for it as well. You're right about how the Dragons would have fallen apart earlier in the past.

[frodder]

We haven't discussed Saturday much.

Not Toby and Tips were excellent

[penguin]

We haven't discussed Saturday much.

Not Toby and Tips were excellent

They were. Shining beacons in a pretty mixed performance. I like Sheedy but until that lovely little pass at the end I thought he was doing an impression of Dan Biggar (always looking to pass with little threat to the defence ball in hand), shovelling it on pretty tamely. He needs more time because that final pass was a glimpse of what he can do. Parry was pretty good I thought. Definitely worth another look in the absence of Ken. Our wingers are still not getting the ball enough for my liking. Basically if Tips and Toby hadn't been having their own little game, passing the ball to each other, it would have been a lot uglier. Class shining through with those two.

In other news, Dwayne Peel is going to be Cardiff's attack coach next year. Ulster have been playing some good stuff, and he'll certainly have some decent weapons at his disposal. Could be a good move.

[frodder]

We haven't discussed Saturday much.

Not Toby and Tips were excellent

They were. Shining beacons in a pretty mixed performance. I like Sheedy but until that lovely little pass at the end I thought he was doing an impression of Dan Biggar (always looking to pass with little threat to the defence ball in hand), shovelling it on pretty tamely. He needs more time because that final pass was a glimpse of what he can do. Parry was pretty good I thought. Definitely worth another look in the absence of Ken. Our wingers are still not getting the ball enough for my liking. Basically if Tips and Toby hadn't been having their own little game, passing the ball to each other, it would have been a lot uglier. Class shining through with those two.

In other news, Dwayne Peel is going to be Cardiff's attack coach next year. Ulster have been playing some good stuff, and he'll certainly have some decent weapons at his disposal. Could be a good move.

All those things the Golden Child can do already but for some reason isn't getting a fair crack of the whip. When the next coach arrives next year hopefully he'll see it.

[penguin]

All those things the Golden Child can do already but for some reason isn't getting a fair crack of the whip. When the next coach arrives next year hopefully he'll see it.

Yeah, I don't understand Jarrod's absence. I can understand wanting to give Sheedy a run (and get him capped), but why not have Jarrod there too, rather than Patchell who would have benefited from more time at the Scarlets, getting some game time under his belt? Jarrod looks like the 10 best suited to what Pivac wants to do, and yet he doesn't seem to trust him despite him being consistently good for a long time now.

[penguin]

Dragons (v Wasps): Josh Lewis, Jared Rosser, Nick Tompkins, Jamie Roberts, Ashton Hewitt, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Joe Maksymiw, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Ollie Griffiths

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Josh Reynolds, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Taine Basham, Tavis Knoyle, Jack Dixon, Jonah Holmes

Great as Carter was against Glasgow, with Launchbury and Rowlands in tandem that's a big task...especially when Willis and Young are going to making breakdowns a pain.

Wasps: L Sopoaga; Z Kibirige, P Odogwu, J Gopperth, J Bassett; C Atkinson, D Robson; T West, T Cruse, K Brookes, J Launchbury (capt), W Rowlands, J Willis, T Young, A Barbeary.

Replacements: G Oghre, Zhvania, J Toomaga-Allen, T Cardall, B Morris, W Porter, M Le Bourgeois, M Minozzi,

Poite refereeing as well. I'm imagining he's already warming his arm up for the first scrum.