Dragons beaten and battered by classy Toulouse

Toulouse marched further ahead in Pool 5 with a bonus-point win against the spirited Dragons. The 26-7 victory was convincing, but the game was marred by a worrying neck injury to Gwent centre Marc Stcherbina.

French international Frederic Michalak wasn’t in great touch with the boot, but his direction and control of the match was faultless. The outside-half set up Yannick Jauzion for the opening try and converted for the only points in the first half.

Stcherbina’s injury rocked the Dragons concentration and disrupted their tight organisation. Toulouse struck immediately through Clement Poitrenaud, Maxime Medard and Florian Fritz all running in tries to deflate Dragons hopes.

Steve Jones stole a late consolation try, but the three times European Champions Toulose proved their class in the Stade Ernest Wallon and established their ambitions for this year’s Heineken Cup.

Toulouse, having won their last ten games, picked up where they left off against Bayonne by camping in the opponents half with Michalak orchestrating play and testing the Dragons disciplined defence. His genius was proven with a delicate chip over the Dragons defence off a scrum 10 metres from the try line.

Jauzion read the kick perfectly to pounce on the bobbling ball to open the score and claim the first try. The conversion was successful, but three poorly missed penalties from Michalak to James Arlidge one, kept the match at stalemate.

The most controversial incident came just short of the interval as Richard Fussell was yellow carded for a high tackle on Medard. The mazy running winger recovered to dodge the defence and produce a try-scoring opportunity, only for Gareth Wyatt to beat the attackers to the ball and save the Dragons. The scored remained 7-0 at half-time.

The second half opened in the same manner as the first, with Michalak slotting another penalty wide. The turning point arrived on the hour mark as the figurative Marc Stcherbina landed awkwardly from a tackle. A suspected broken neck caused a long delay and worry throughout the camp. The influential centre was stretchered off after a long injury delay, and all thoughts are with him at this present time.

However, the players still had a game to focus on, but Toulouse didn’t hold mercy as they enforced their dominance. A Michalak grubber was again the Welsh side's undoing, Poitrenaud this time, securing the ball under his clutches for the second try.

Poitrenaud played a large role in the third try as his quick hands allowed Medard sneak in the corner. The bonus-point score soon followed as the relentless Toulouse onslaught continued, Michalak found Fritz on a switch to cross underneath the posts.

The Dragons battled to the end and were rewarded in the final move of the match. Rhodri Gomer-Davies paved his way through the defence with a powerful run, Jones supported for the try that was converted by Shaun Connor.

Toulouse: C Poitrenaud, Medard, Kunavore, Jauzion, Heymans, Michalak, Kelleher, Human, Servat, Perugini, Pelous, Millo-Chulski, Bouihlou, Dusatoir, Lamboley.Replacements: Fritz for Kunavore (41), Du Toit for Kelleher (69), Poux for Human (50), Vernet Basualdo for Servat (66), Lecouls for Perugini (50), Nyanga for Bouihlou (62), Sowerby for Lamboley (50).

Dragons: Dolman, Wyatt, Davies, Stcherbina,Fussell, Arlidge, W. Evans, Black, Willis, R. Thomas,MacDonald, Charteris, Bearman, Charvis, L. Evans.Replacements: Smith for Stcherbina (50), Connor for Arlidge (56), R. Lewis for W. Evans (71), Robinson for Black (73), S. Jones for Willis (71), Lydiatt for Charvis (71), Ringer for L. Evans (52).

Sin Bin: Fussell (40).

Att: 18,695

Referee: Dave Pearson (England).

Thomas and Charteris add to needed strength and depth

Rhys Thomas and Luke Charteris arrive back to the Newport Gwent Dragons camp after the Autumn Internationals. Both Welsh squad members will strengthen the Men of Gwent when they prepare to face three times European champions Toulouse this Saturday, kick-off 2:35.

Dragons lock, Charteris returns fresh from victory over the Wallabies and enters the game against the group five leaders in positive mood:

“While away with the Wales squad I learnt a lot from the environment and am looking forward to bringing that type of intensity to the Dragons for this weekend’s Heineken Cup game against a quality side,” said Luke.

He added: “I’ve got a little bit of homework to do this week, reacquainting myself with all the calls and systems, but it’s great to be back with the boys and it’s good to see that they are all feeling confident ahead of this weekend.”

Dragons prop Rhys Thomas is recalled to the team to boost the front-row problem, as Jamie Corsi continues his recovery period. The tight-head commented:

“It was a great experience to be involved in the Wales squad and I’m also pleased to return for the opportunity to play one of the best teams in Europe. On a personal level I’m looking to get in some game time and also to help to team back to winning ways.”

Toulouse will be without influential half-back Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde who sustained a broken finger in last week’s victory over Bayonne. The 31-year-old French international is the only colossal name they will miss as Toulouse attempt to enforce their European dominance.

A decision on the fitness of player/coach Colin Charvis is expected tomorrow. The defence coach and veteran flanker is recovering from a knee injury, but his experience may prove vital in France.

Paul Turner is hoping to challenge Toulouse, but realises they will be massive underdogs. He commented:

"Yet again we are faced with a tough challenge away from home and against one of the best squads in Europe.

"Their Top 14 form has been good of late and we will have to be at our best defensively and offensively to get the desired result.

"You've got to lay down your mark, you've got to gain their respect early.
"It's a big test and one we feel we're capable of meeting. It's about going into the cauldron and performing."

He continued: "You've got to be bold and technically good defensively. We've prepared well, it's a big challenge.

"We're excited about it. It's what playing in this competition is all about.

The squad to face Toulouse is as follows:

Backs: Phillip Dollman, Marc Stcherbina, Ashley Smith, Rory Sidey, Richard Fussell, Gareth Wyatt, Rhodri Gomer Davies, James Arlidge, Shaun Connor, Wayne Evans, Robert Lewis

Forwards: Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Robinson, Danny Lydiate, Tom Willis, Steve Jones, Jamie Ringer, Colin Charvis, Joe Bearman, Hoani MacDonald, Luke Charteris, Andrew Hall, Lewis Evans

Dragons unfortunate to leave with nothing

Newport Gwent Dragons let a 10 point lead slip away from their grasp at the RDS. Leinster comfortably finished 29-13 winners, but it was far from convincing as the Welsh region worried the Irishmen with some fine counter attacking.

Hoani Macdonald opened his try scoring account for the Dragons with an early interception try against Magners League holders Leinster. James Arlidge took his kicks well, but a quick reply through a Sean O’Brien try saw the Dubliner’s go into the break trailing by 13 points to 10.

Jonathon Sexton added a penalty after the interval to tie the scores, but the Men of Gwent couldn’t hold out as Bernard Jackman grabbed a try to give the Irish province the lead. Australian Rocky Elsom sealed the win with an injury time try as Newport attempted to run the ball from their own posts.

Dragons were disappointed to have walked away from Dublin with nothing to show after their early efforts, but the last visit to RDS saw the Black and Ambers clamber away 41-8 losers, which handed Leinster the league title. Once again Gwent were strong in defence and worried the Irish with initial pressure and promise.

In the blustery conditions James Arlidge steadied himself to slot over two early penalties opening a deserved 6-0 lead as the Dragons set the pace. With Sexton receiving attention, Fergus McFadden reduced the deficit to three with a penalty. But an intercept try from the New Zealander, Macdonald extended a 10 point advantage.

The response was immediate from Leinster, shortly after Dragons conversion, O’Brien cut a great angle inside the Newport 22 to score from close range. Sexton gratefully added two points before Macdonald was lost to the sin-bin for an illegal hauling down of Devin Toner in a lineout. Dragons went into half-time leading 13-10.

The lead was wiped out straight after the break as Sexton levelled with a well-struck penalty. Leinster started to enforce themselves on the game from there on, with Bernard Jackman stealing over from 8 yards following sustained forward pressure.

Arlidge missed out on the chance of cutting the Irish advantage, but replacement David Howell and McFadden were successful with their attempts - increasing the home lead. Dragons remained ambitious and were still in the game, but ambition turned to disaster as they lost the ball on their 22. Girvan Dempsey opened the pitch up with some free running and allowed Elsom to score in the corner with seconds left on the watch.

Dragons were unfortunate to not leave with a bonus point as they competed with the Champions, but ill-discipline and organisation haunted them as it finished 29-13.

Leinster: G Dempsey, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, F McFadden, S Keogh, J Sexton, C Whitaker (cpt); C Healy, B Jackman, S Wright, D Toner, M O'Kelly, R Elsom, S O'Brien, S Keogh.Replacements: Replacements: C Jowitt for S. Keogh (62), D Holwell for Sexton (65), C Keane for Whitaker (65), Hogan for Toner (67).Not Used: B Blaney, CJ van der Linde, G Brown.

Dragons: P Dollman; G Wyatt, R Sidey, M Stcherbina, R Fussell; J Arlidge, W Evans; A Black, T Willis (capt), G Robinson, H Macdonald, A Hall, J Bearman, L Evans, G Webb.Replacements: S Connor for Arlidge (61), S Jones for Willis (75), J Corsi for Robinson (75), D Lydiate for Hall (27), J Ringer for Webb (47).Not Used: A Smith, R Lewis.

Referee: A MacPherson (SRFU).