NPR

I'm not even sure Screech was the best lock at the Dragons this season.

He had his best season for the Dragons last year by a long way, hard to comment on this season's efforts due to, well, you know. We'd have been in trouble without him in recent times if we're honest with ourselves.

So the Wail have put on their detectives hat and had a guess at who is in the WRU paid 38, now that we know the breakdown by region:

The Scarlets (14)

The west Wales side have the biggest contingent, reflecting both their player development and the strength of their squad.

You can name the bulk of the group pretty easily.

Clearly, it’s going to include the likes of Ken Owens, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Gareth Davies and the returning Liam Williams.

Then you’ve got fellow internationals Jake Ball, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Aaron Shingler, Rhys Patchell, James Davies, Ryan Elias and Johnny McNicholl.

That makes 13 and you may well then be looking at one of Steff Evans or Samson Lee to complete the set.

Cardiff Blues (11)

Cory Hill’s arrival from the Dragons and the return of Rhys Carre from Saracens has added to the elite numbers at the Arms Park.

They will be joined in the 38 by Josh Adams, Tomos Williams, Josh Navidi and Dillon Lewis, who have all figured prominently for Wales over the past year.

Then you’ve got Jarrod Evans, Owen Lane and Hallam Amos, plus Ellis Jenkins who will hopefully be back in action before too long after almost two years out with a horrendous knee injury.

You are probably looking at either Willis Halaholo or Seb Davies to round off the 11.

Ospreys (8)

As ever, the first name you put down is Alun Wyn Jones, with Justin Tipuric and George North swiftly added.

Rhys Webb is also on board, having returned to the region from Toulon, via a spell at Bath, with Owen Watkin, Adam Beard, Nicky Smith and the sidelined Gareth Anscombe likely completing the contingent.

Dragons (5)

Aaron Wainwright, Elliot Dee and the re-signed Ross Moriarty are definites, with Leon Brown also likely included.

Nick Tompkins doesn't come into the equation as he is on a one-year loan deal from Saracens.

So the odds are the fifth Dragon in the 38 is Jonah Holmes, which is an appropriate note to end on as it's taken a fair bit of Sherlock Holmes sleuthing to put this article together!

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 6:49 pm He had his best season for the Dragons last year by a long way, hard to comment on this season's efforts due to, well, you know. We'd have been in trouble without him in recent times if we're honest with ourselves.

I don't disagree... But Joe Davies was equally good for me. You're right though, we had no backup at lock, without screech we'd have been buggered.

I stole this depth chart from ScarletFever. But that is probably the strongest lineup I have seen in some time down in Llanelli.

Some names will appear multiple times. The ones in bold are competing against each other for a starting position. Lots of people are saying Javan Sebastian is starting to come good - 25yo Carmarthen TH. And I think Hardy could well press Cawdor if his form drops. Elias pushing Ken is based on The Sheriff's age.

FB: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Rhys Patchell, Tom Prydie
Wing: Liam Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Steff Evans, Paul Asquith, Tom Prydie, Ryan Conbeer, Tom Rogers
OC: Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Joe Roberts
IC: Johnny Williams, Steff Hughes, Paul Asquith
FH: Rhys Patchell, Angus O'Brien, Dan Jones, Sam Costelow
SH: Gareth Davies, Kiernan Hardy, Will Homer, Dane Blacker

No. 8: Uzair Cassiem, Sione Kalamafoni
OSF: Josh MacLeod, James Davies, Dan Davies, Jac Morgan
BSF: Aaron Shingler, Blade Thomson, Ed Kennedy, Tom Phillips
Lock: Jake Ball, Tex Ratuva, Sam Lousi, Steve Cummins, Lewis Rawlins, Josh Helps, Danny Drake, Jac Price, Morgan Jones
TH: Samson Lee, Werner Kruger, Javan Sebastian, Steff Thomas
Hooker: Ken Owens, Ryan Elias, Taylor Davies, Marc Jones
LH: Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Dylan Evans, Phil Price

Dragons and Scarlets pay cuts finalised (finally). So hopefully we'll see Rowlands heading to the Dragons, what with Wasps having signed a replacement to ease his worries of leaving them in the lurch.

Taking some shape this year, it's hard not to get excited, especially if the Bateman deal also comes to fruition.

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:15 pm We've actually got a full time defence coach this season so who knows?

Yes, I'm waiting for next Sunday to see exactly what he has been able to do.

Sam Davies going to Bath?

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-18783587

Turkster wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:38 pm Sam Davies going to Bath?

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-18783587

Was just popping in about this. Wasn't he the golden child a few seasons back? The article seems to ignore the fact that Gopperth is a 12 for Wasps, and Sopoaga is being held out by Umaga.

I'm sure we're in the market for another 10, but I don't see us offering the 1st place shirt to anyone. Would he be happy to come and play 2nd fiddle (at least until he ousted the incumbent, not an easy task).

Hopefully just some negotiation tactics, and it'll all be done and dusted in a few days. It would be a huge blow to lose him - Lewis and Robson are both decent players, but Davies has been superb. We'd struggle to replace him, particularly at this stage of things.

The Fail do love to stir the pot. As has been said, his agent is undoubtedly trying to get a few bob out of the negotiations. I thought he was on a decent wage already? considering his place in the Welsh selector's pecking order.

I hope he's staying put, he's definitely been a step up in consistency.

Given the fact that Liam Williams called the Wail a pack of lying cunts yesterday, I'm slightly wary of their current claims...but if they are telling the truth that Davies can earn twice as much in England as he's being offered by the Dragons, he'd be an absolute moron not to go.

Hate to agree with you, but yeah, double the money, especially if you're not in line for a call up, no brainer sadly.

I reckon he's ambitious about playing for Wales, which is why he chose the Dragons in the first place, so I think it will prove to be a negotiating tactic, and he'll stay...but I've been wrong before.

Good news - we've got the green light to play our new signings against Bristol in the Challenge Cup QF. Roberts, Tompkins, Holmes...
Bad news - Bristol got the green light to play their new signings against us in the Challenge Cup QF. Radradra, Sinckler, Earl...

Any rumblings regarding Bateman and the big lad from Wasps? My usual source has gone quiet lately.

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:17 am

Any rumblings regarding Bateman and the big lad from Wasps? My usual source has gone quiet lately.

I've heard nothing, but they were saying with Rowlands that he didn't want to leave Wasps in the lurch so was waiting to see if they could sign someone. This week Wasps announced they'd brought on Levi Douglas on a short term deal...so fingers crossed that frees Rowlands up to move.

Bateman, no idea.

penguin wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:28 am

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:17 am

Any rumblings regarding Bateman and the big lad from Wasps? My usual source has gone quiet lately.

I've heard nothing, but they were saying with Rowlands that he didn't want to leave Wasps in the lurch so was waiting to see if they could sign someone. This week Wasps announced they'd brought on Levi Douglas on a short term deal...so fingers crossed that frees Rowlands up to move.

Bateman, no idea.

We've just announced that we're losing our French academy player (who is worthy of a first team spot), so Rowlands leaving would still leave us in the lurch a bit.

Balls. Getting a bit boring now. He's either coming or he's not? He should just say.

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:58 am Balls. Getting a bit boring now. He's either coming or he's not? He should just say.

I suspect he'd like to, doesn't want to miss out on potential international caps. You should be pleased at the fact you could be getting such a loyal player :D.

Let us hope so!

Raggs wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 12:01 pm

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:58 am Balls. Getting a bit boring now. He's either coming or he's not? He should just say.

I suspect he'd like to, doesn't want to miss out on potential international caps. You should be pleased at the fact you could be getting such a loyal player :D.

I've got to say, much as I want to get him on board, the fact he seems to be keen to leave on good terms and make sure Wasps are not let down is admirable.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53813479

There we are then. Williams and Davies confirm Howell is a sh*t stirring Blues whore.

Andy fucking Howell...

Wales and Dragons centre Jamie Roberts has tested positive for coronavirus just a few days before the planned resumption of the Pro14 season.

Last month Roberts joined Dragons who are due to face Ospreys on Sunday, 23 August, a day after Scarlets host Cardiff Blues.

The centre is in good health but has been placed into isolation and will not play this weekend.

The players were tested on Tuesday with results expected on Wednesday.

If there are a number of positive tests among the Dragons squad, the match against Ospreys will be in doubt.

Roberts, 33, had returned to Wales from a short stint with Stormers in South Africa.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53828959

Rough. Let's hope he's up and about in no time. Luck of the Dragons that is.

Today work took me to a certain RFU owned overflow car park where I dug a divot in the mud. Just doing my part to bring down the perfidious English rugby machine.

The Druid wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 7:25 pm

Wales and Dragons centre Jamie Roberts has tested positive for coronavirus just a few days before the planned resumption of the Pro14 season.

Last month Roberts joined Dragons who are due to face Ospreys on Sunday, 23 August, a day after Scarlets host Cardiff Blues.

The centre is in good health but has been placed into isolation and will not play this weekend.

The players were tested on Tuesday with results expected on Wednesday.

If there are a number of positive tests among the Dragons squad, the match against Ospreys will be in doubt.

Roberts, 33, had returned to Wales from a short stint with Stormers in South Africa.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53828959

Just saw this; hope he's okay & makes a swift recovery.

Coming back, & volunteering for work in the NHS, in a situation, he knew would expose him to a much higher risk, shows what a stand up guy he is

Has Rowlands signed for the Drags yet?

Has Rowlands signed for the Drags yet?

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:02 pm Today work took me to a certain RFU owned overflow car park where I dug a divot in the mud. Just doing my part to bring down the perfidious English rugby machine.

C69 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:56 pm Has Rowlands signed for the Drags yet?

I'm close to asking Mystic Meg at this point.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:48 pm

The Druid wrote: ↑Tue Aug 18, 2020 7:25 pm

Wales and Dragons centre Jamie Roberts has tested positive for coronavirus just a few days before the planned resumption of the Pro14 season.

Last month Roberts joined Dragons who are due to face Ospreys on Sunday, 23 August, a day after Scarlets host Cardiff Blues.

The centre is in good health but has been placed into isolation and will not play this weekend.

The players were tested on Tuesday with results expected on Wednesday.

If there are a number of positive tests among the Dragons squad, the match against Ospreys will be in doubt.

Roberts, 33, had returned to Wales from a short stint with Stormers in South Africa.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53828959

Just saw this; hope he's okay & makes a swift recovery.

Coming back, & volunteering for work in the NHS, in a situation, he knew would expose him to a much higher risk, shows what a stand up guy he is

He's a legend is our Jamie

LADS! LADS! I've got exclusive pics of the Dragons new jersey

Honest to god team news...how I've missed you.

Ospreys: D Evans; G North, O Watkin, K Williams, L Morgan; S Myler, R Webb; N Smith, S Parry, T Botha, A Beard, A Wyn Jones, O Cracknell, J Tipuric (capt), M Morris.

Replacements: D Lake, G Thomas, N Thomas, B Davies, W Griffiths, R Morgan-Williams, J Thomas, T Thomas-Wheeler.

Dragons: D Howells; O Jenkins, N Tompkins, J Dixon, A Hewitt; S Davies (capt), T Knoyle; B Harris, R Hibbard, L Brown, J Maksymiw, M Screech, B Fry, R Moriarty, T Basham.

Replacements: E Shipp, C Maguire, C Coleman, J Davies, A Wainwright, L Baldwin, A Robson, A Warren.

It's been so long since we signed him on a short term deal I'd completely forgotten about Maguire. Had to refresh my memory on who he was. Interesting to see Howells at FB.

Can't wait for Sunday now.

Scarlets vs bloose is a luke-warm affair so far... some nice touches here and there but it has a training game feel to it. Players shaking off the rust, I imagine.

15-7 Scarlets approaching the half.

Ali Cadoo wrote: ↑Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:39 pm Scarlets vs bloose is a luke-warm affair so far... some nice touches here and there but it has a training game feel to it. Players shaking off the rust, I imagine.

15-7 Scarlets approaching the half.

Missed most of the first half but it seems like a good enough start for the Scarlets.

Yeah, I think it’s a fair score line - Scarlets probably a bit sharper, Steff Evs was quality for his try and has been dancing around a fair bit... bloose have also played their part but are lacking composure in midfield... their most electric runner has been Kris Dacey who side-stepped his way around the defence to set up a score for Josh Adams.

Steff Evs has just pulled off an amazing finger-tip score, I think... and it’s given! Speculative kick and chase, Steff has to barge through 2 defenders to get fingers on the touchdown. Leigh Halfpenny is looking to knock the posts down with his conversions today...

Yep, good try from the Scarlets.