Gone, but not forgotten

Many talented rugby union players past and present have escaped our historic coastal region, none as recognisable as the current Welsh captain, Ryan Jones. How have we managed to squander such illustrious performers from a club lacking in funds, surely uncovered potential should be nursed within a water-tight structure.

The current crop of players under the watchful eye of coach, Paul Turner seem to be bonding as a unit and appear to be a well drilled team. But should we need to bolster the team with three New Zealanders when there were great players’ on our doorstep. Don’t get me wrong, I think Turner spent wisely and each of our foreign imports has impressed with their never say die attitude and increased fitness levels. However, players by the name of Ryan Jones, Alix Popham and Andy Powell have walked away from Rodney Parade. And although I hate to say it, they made the right decision – look at them now, all three are Welsh internationals and worst of all they represent the other three regions.

Powell, born in Brecon has immense capability as a ball carrying back row specialist, but during the step to regional rugby he was surprisingly left stranded with an excuse of a contract, therefore for he moved on. Last Saturday he made an impressive debut for the national side, bringing the total of caps shared between the three, to fifty-five.

Don’t think the list stops there. Two prop forwards, Iestyn Thomas and Ceri Jones managed to be pushed aside forcing them to find new clubs. Iestyn Thomas, born in Pontypool, started his career at his hometown before moving to Eugene Park under Mike Ruddock. After captaining Ebbw Vale he switched to west Wales to represent Llanelli.

Ceri Jones was once the cornerstone, alongside Rod Snow, of a dependable and bulky Newport pack. The 31-year-old from Usk has gone on to pastures new with Harlequins, after cementing his place he became a fan favourite playing alongside Jason Leonard for a short spell.

Another useful player we managed to let go off is Jason Strange. Hailing from Tredegar, Strange came to prominence at Ebbw Vale before moving to Newport. He failed to make a real mark at Rodney Parade, but was this down to ability, opportunity or training? I would have to say one of the latter two, as after leaving for a one-year spell with Rotherham, he transferred to Bristol Rugby Club and in the 2005/06 season he finished as top points scorer in the Guinness Premiership with 244.

Those are just six of a longer list of rugby talent hailing from our doorstep to have moved away from Gwent and progressed to higher levels. There is a definite need for a firm structure and improvement in facilities to keep quality within the region, but below the gloom I believe is a new horizon. The next generation is coming into full bloom under the careful eye of coach, Paul Turner. The Black and Ambers may seem to be in full rotation mode this season with a policy more likened to Rafa Benitez, than the midas touch of Turner. There is an encouraging amount of young talent in the region providing the Newbridge man with a new breed of exciting rugby to nurture.
Onwards and Upwards!

Gatland names Thomas and Charteris

Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas and lock Luke Charteris are in Warren Gatland’s starting fifteen for tonight’s clash with Canada at the Millennium Stadium.

The second Invesco Perpetual Series match brings a different challenge, with only three players remaining in the side from Saturday’s 20-15 defeat to world champions, South Africa. Gatland has handed opportunities to many players to make a name for themselves in the red of Wales, expecting the intensity levels to be at full tilt.

It’s all change in the pack with a complete revamp, except for captain, Ryan Jones who switches to his favoured number eight shirt. The front three may lack in experience, but not power as John Yapp is called up to win his ninth cap after suffering a two-year absence through injury problems. Hooker Richard Hibbard and tight-head Rhys Thomas join Yapp to bring the total of caps won to seventeen in the front row.

The second row is filled by familiar faces at Rodney Parade, Ian Gough and Luke Charteris step into the breach to force their presence upon the game. Gough, now with the Ospreys, has shadowed Alyn-Wyn Jones and Ian Evans for club and country and will aim to regain the starting shirt. Charteris provides a different option with his considerable height in the lineout and improving defensive capabilities.

Two in-from flankers have been brought into the team in an effort to establish their position alongside captain, Ryan Jones at eight. The unfortunate Dafydd Jones arrives at blindside after spending lengthy amounts of time out of the game through injury and suspensions. At open-side Robin Sowden-Taylor switches with his Cardiff Blues team-mate and predecessor Martyn Williams.

Gatland has made five changes in the backs, with Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts making his international debut in place of Dwayne Peel. He will be joined at half-back by the criticised James Hook, but for me the 23-year-old from Port Talbot possesses a huge amount of talent and has a long future in the historic number 10 jersey of Wales.

Another 23-year-old Osprey in Andrew Bishop returns at inside-centre to capture only his second cap. His partner, Tom Shanklin, remains in the team to offer vital experience and will be hoping to add to his tally of eighteen tries. Mark Jones has recovered from an injury to play on the wing, with young Leigh Halfpenny on the other wing to earn his second cap and vital game time. Llanelli Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart completes the back three and will give the Canucks certain defensive problems with his running play.

The bench consists of two debutants, Ospreys outside-half Dan Biggar and Sale Sharks prop Eifion Roberts, with five players who impressed last Saturday; Matthew Rees, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Dwayne Peel and Jamie Roberts.

Gatland is pleased with his selection, "There are many of changes from last week but we have maintained consistency by keeping Ryan in there as captain and we have some experience and impact players too on the bench."

Gavin Henson is still sidelined with an Achilles injury which ruled him out last Saturday, however he has been training lightly and expects to challenge for his place soon. Don’t expect Canada to lie down, but this is a Welsh team with a huge attacking threat.

Wales: Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Scarlets); James Hook (Ospreys), Martin Roberts (Scarlets); John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys) , Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).

Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Eifion Lewis Roberts (Sale), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues), Dwayne Peel (Sale), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues).

Experience key at half-back

There has been a lot of debate around the half-back paring best suited to ameliorate a progressing Dragons team. Paul Turner has chopped and changed in his attempt to find the control needed to lead the black and ambers forward.

Turner, himself a successful outside-half, has already recruited many players in these positions in his short tenure so far at the club. A player who never escaped the pressure spot last season was Ceri Sweeney resulting in a move to arch rivals Cardiff Blues – but was he even a ten. I believe he dominated as an inside centre, far superior to his skills as a fly-half and I’m glad Ashley Smith wasn’t pushed off the scene to accommodate the 28-year-old Sweeney.

However, the key to success as an outside-half is consistency. Enter Shaun Connor, he is an experienced player who arrived from the Ospreys in the summer. I believe Connor provides the most control of our options and is a tactically astute player, whilst not being afraid to dabble in contact. However the 32-year-old, born in Panteg, is not a long term solution to the ongoing problem.

Does that mean we will be shopping to two years time? Not necessarily, Turner recognizes the importance of progression and this comes in the form of James Arlidge. The 29-year-old also rich in experience brings a different outlook on the game from across the globe. The New Zealand born, Japanese international has been educated through the Auckland system. The Auckland University student is quick, reactive and strong with a solid kicking game. Don’t be surprised if he changes a game in an instant.

Turner has placed one eye on a future plan. Jason Tovey at 19 has made the switch from full-back at Newport rfc to outside-half for the Dragons. Schooled at Cwmcarn Comprehensive and now representing Wales U20’s, he has always been aware of his own ability – having played against him, you should never underestimate him. He could remain silent for 70 minutes, but when that ball finds him, the defence are in trouble - all depends which Jason Tovey turns up.

Jason Tovey playing against the Ospreys.

The number nine shirt is certainly there for taking, with my personal selection Andy Williams being out injured with a back problem. The 27-year-old who transferred from Bath last season hasn’t shown his capabilities yet due to a series of injuries, but the talkative scrum-half offers good service and direction for the forwards, if he manages to get back to his best he is a definite contender for Warren Gatland’s squad.

There are a few very adequate replacements in Wayne Evans, Rob Lewis and Tom Isaacs. The first has improved immensely in the last year, only 24 Wayne arrived from the Blues in 2007 and took a while to settle but there is vast potential waiting to deliver. Lewis and Isaacs, only 20 and 21 respectively, are future starlets of the region and with Turner blooding them early he hopes both will reap the benefits. Their scurrying and running play is impeccable; expect them to light up games.

Although, I do believe our region is missing one of its young scrum-halves. Last season Alex Walker stepped into a pair of sizeable shoes, that of Gareth Cooper and injured Andy Williams and for me did not disappoint, in fact he was one of the most consistent half-backs in Wales. Now twenty-two Walker is plying his trade in English National One alongside Aled Thomas with London Welsh. Is that two more great players escaped under our nose?

Are Wales breathing without Dragon Fire

Warren Gatland has named his 22-man squad to face world champions, South Africa in the Prince William Cup clash on Saturday. Gatland has handed debuts to Cardiff Blues duo Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell, but no Dragons players have reached the final team.


Wales Team to face South Africa is, as follows:

15. Lee Byrne
14. Leigh Halfpenny
13. Jamie Roberts
12. Gavin Henson
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Gareth Cooper
1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun-Wyn Jones
5. Ian Evans
6. Ryan Jones (capt)
7. Martyn Williams
8. Andy Powell



Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Tom Shanklin.

Three former ‘Men of Gwent’ have been selected; Ian Gough, Andy Powell and Gareth Cooper. But there is no place for any current players from the Dragons, which for me is quite a surprise as over the last few games there has been an immense improvement. Luke Chateris is now a well-rounded player with his tight defence and height in the line-out, he is sure to be called up for one of the Invesco Perpetual Series matches. Prop Rhys Thomas brings a different dimension to the front-row, maybe not quite as consistent, but he carries a threat with the ball and will be certainly fired up when his chance arrives.

As for the Welsh team, I believe we have a strong team out and have every chance of competing with the Springboks. If the pack produce good ball that we can spread wide, Habana will be no match for our dancing wingers, and expect young Jamie Roberts to break a few tackles. This is an exciting Welsh team, but can they perform against the best in the world?

Welcome to the Dragon Smoke Blog!

Hello and welcome to Dragon Smoke, the only Newport Gwent Dragons Blog!

It’s the perfect time to start a blog on this region, as the Black and Ambers start a new chapter in their history. With stadium plans gathering pace and our youthful team progressing in quality, not to mention a couple of wise, old heads it’s an exciting time for everyone connected with the club. Welsh rugby is on a high, and I need all rugby union fans to get involved!

I’ll be keeping the blog updated on a regular basis with news and views from on and off the field, but your opinion will be valued on all things Dragons. I aim to entertain and inform, whilst bringing you a lot of original material from my own sources – but crucially I endeavour to find the fans, in an attempt to increase awareness and support of our region.

Come on the Port, sorry or Dragons for the naturalist!