NPR

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:15 pm I still think Cymbrogi fits the best

Un Pilier wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:26 pm

Not Frankie wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:13 pm The Swerve sounds great unlike the emojis.

Pardon my interruption. As in Merv?

TB63 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:27 pm We are dyslexic of Brog.

Your arse will be delaminated..

TB63 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:27 pm We are dyslexic of Brog.

Your arse will be delaminated..

TB63 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2020 3:43 pm Y Wyre..
A gathering of dragons..

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:49 pm How do I change my name so it's red?

Munch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:15 pm So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good? What the f*ck is going on with the Ospreys? Will the communal hatred and bile directed at Cardiff finally drag them down? How will the Scarletts live without Pivac? Will the entire system be redrawn by the WRU?

This could be the most intriguing year yet for the regions.

I may even watch a match or two!

Munch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:15 pm So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good? What the f*ck is going on with the Ospreys? Will the communal hatred and bile directed at Cardiff finally drag them down? How will the Scarletts live without Pivac? Will the entire system be redrawn by the WRU?

This could be the most intriguing year yet for the regions.

I may even watch a match or two!

bessantj wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:05 am I really hope that Max Williams manages to kick on, he could be very useful for the Dragons.

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:15 am

bessantj wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:05 am I really hope that Max Williams manages to kick on, he could be very useful for the Dragons.

Didn't seem to get much time off the bench even when he got over his concussion issues from earlier in the season. Whether Dean Ryan doesn't rate him I don't know, but considering the workload that Joe Davies and Matthew Screech had I thought it was interesting. I'd like to see him given a chance. He's at a an age where he needs to kick on.

bessantj wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:58 am

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:15 am

bessantj wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:05 am I really hope that Max Williams manages to kick on, he could be very useful for the Dragons.

Didn't seem to get much time off the bench even when he got over his concussion issues from earlier in the season. Whether Dean Ryan doesn't rate him I don't know, but considering the workload that Joe Davies and Matthew Screech had I thought it was interesting. I'd like to see him given a chance. He's at a an age where he needs to kick on.

Yeah he is at a time when he needs to prove himself, I don't know if Ryan doesn't see any progress in him or what not as if the Dragons are spoiled for choice.

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:31 am

Munch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:15 pm So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good? What the f*ck is going on with the Ospreys? Will the communal hatred and bile directed at Cardiff finally drag them down? How will the Scarletts live without Pivac? Will the entire system be redrawn by the WRU?

This could be the most intriguing year yet for the regions.

I may even watch a match or two!

I was hoping the bile thrown in our direction would not be migrated to this bored. The Dragons are now the top dogs

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:34 am

Munch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:15 pm So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good? What the f*ck is going on with the Ospreys? Will the communal hatred and bile directed at Cardiff finally drag them down? How will the Scarletts live without Pivac? Will the entire system be redrawn by the WRU?

This could be the most intriguing year yet for the regions.

I may even watch a match or two!

So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good?

No, but more small steps of progress I reckon. Front 5 still a mixed bag, with the locks mainly the issue - no side can hope to compete consistently when you go from first choice locks of Screech, Joe Davies, Maksymiw level to makeshift locks like Lewis Evans and Huw Taylor and then to youngsters. I have high hopes of Max Williams, Ed Scragg, Ben Carter but a few injuries could see us struggle.

Munch wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:30 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:34 am

Munch wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:15 pm So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good? What the f*ck is going on with the Ospreys? Will the communal hatred and bile directed at Cardiff finally drag them down? How will the Scarletts live without Pivac? Will the entire system be redrawn by the WRU?

This could be the most intriguing year yet for the regions.

I may even watch a match or two!

So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good?

No, but more small steps of progress I reckon. Front 5 still a mixed bag, with the locks mainly the issue - no side can hope to compete consistently when you go from first choice locks of Screech, Joe Davies, Maksymiw level to makeshift locks like Lewis Evans and Huw Taylor and then to youngsters. I have high hopes of Max Williams, Ed Scragg, Ben Carter but a few injuries could see us struggle.

I know, it's dire straits, but every season I've just had the feeling that this would be the start of the upturn. I still feel like we could pull a performance together.

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 10:34 am

bessantj wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:58 am

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:15 am

Didn't seem to get much time off the bench even when he got over his concussion issues from earlier in the season. Whether Dean Ryan doesn't rate him I don't know, but considering the workload that Joe Davies and Matthew Screech had I thought it was interesting. I'd like to see him given a chance. He's at a an age where he needs to kick on.

Yeah he is at a time when he needs to prove himself, I don't know if Ryan doesn't see any progress in him or what not as if the Dragons are spoiled for choice.

Might find that Ben Carter and Ed Scragg leap frog him if he's not quick to take his chance.

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:49 pm Looks like this thread is more popular than the 365 forum thingy

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 1:12 pm

Munch wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 12:30 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:34 am

So is this the year that the Dragons finally come good?

No, but more small steps of progress I reckon. Front 5 still a mixed bag, with the locks mainly the issue - no side can hope to compete consistently when you go from first choice locks of Screech, Joe Davies, Maksymiw level to makeshift locks like Lewis Evans and Huw Taylor and then to youngsters. I have high hopes of Max Williams, Ed Scragg, Ben Carter but a few injuries could see us struggle.

I know, it's dire straits, but every season I've just had the feeling that this would be the start of the upturn. I still feel like we could pull a performance together.

I'm not pessimistic, just hoping to see a problem area strengthened.

I think the first XV looks better than at any other time in the Dragons' existence. Good options in the front row, class backrow with real depth, clever halfbacks, Tompkins +1 giving us more cutting edge in the centres, explosive back 3...I really look forward to seeing us play soon. I'm very excited about the quality the academy is churning out...not quite conveyor belt levels yet, but each year there are a few really interesting players, and some gems among them.

1 good signing at lock and 1 of the youngsters to come through early, and we'd be in good shape at lock, and allay many of my fears. 1 year of Tompkins is still going to require backup at centre while he's with Wales. Owen looks interesting but it's a lot to expect him to be ready this year. Tomane would have been good, but if we can't get him then a similar player to balance out the solid citizens (Dixon, Warren) and bring through the youngsters (Owen, Edwards). Also, suggestion of Holmes at 13, which could be a good move if it works, for us, him and Wales.

Munch wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:54 pm Yea, that all sounds hopefull. I'm still not sure how I feel about Tompkins being there just for the year, but it's good to have him in Wales. The academy is regularly chruning out good players but they never seem to fulfill their promise, what with injuries or random drops in form.

The director of rugby played alongside Jonny Wilkinson and Alan Tait and has worked with Felipe Contepomi, Mike Tindall, Anthony Allen and Henry Paul but, and he is not one prone to hyperbole, declares Owen "is probably the best at playing flat that I have seen."

bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:07 pm That is some real praise, he'll be one to look out for and I hope that he can come good.

penguin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:53 pm

bessantj wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:07 pm That is some real praise, he'll be one to look out for and I hope that he can come good.

He had the benefit of playing outside of Sam Costelow for the under 20s, but they made quite a useful combination, even if Owen was overshadowed by Costelow's magic. He looked good without setting the world alight. The last couple of years 12-13 was where our backline moves went to die, so a reformed 10 like Owen and Tompkins at 13 will hopefully be a completely different prospect. I wonder if we're more likely to see Tompkins at 12 with Warren outside him to start with....

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:47 pm Ospreys must be phoning everywhere for a 10 right now. If they're stuck with Cai Evans and Luke Price for the next year it's not going to be pretty.

New guy wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:56 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:47 pm Ospreys must be phoning everywhere for a 10 right now. If they're stuck with Cai Evans and Luke Price for the next year it's not going to be pretty.

All this because Gatland let him play on with a knock in a friendly. Infuriating really.