News: LV= Cup: Northampton Saints vs Dragons - Match Preview
By Rob Leach
November 10 2010
It's Anglo-Welsh Cup action at Franklin's Gardens this Friday evening as Northampton Saints entertain Newport Gwent Dragons on Piggy's Patch. Regular COYSDC contributor Rob Leach looks forward to the game...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs DRAGONS
Friday, 12th November 2010 – 7.45pm
FRANKLIN’S GARDENS
MATCH PREVIEW
“The trouble with Franklin’s Gardens is that it's full of Saints fans...
...like Leicester fans, but without the sense of humour.”
More about that heading later. The Dragons come to the Gardens with three successive victories under their belt having won against Aironi, Ospreys and Gloucester. They are a strong team and should not be underestimated – they are largely unaffected by the loss of players to the Autumn Internationals and will be taking this competition seriously. The timing of the fixture will probably dilute the atmosphere which is a shame as Anglo-Welsh fixtures – whatever the occasion – are always a bit special. This author was a little apathetic going into the game against Saracens with a sort of ‘don’t really care’ attitude and being a half full chap was pleased with the outcome. At the time of writing (silly o clock on Tuesday) it’s difficult to predict the likely Saints line up for this. I would imagine that with a Premiership game around the corner and with several players returning from a well earned break we might just see a different team than the one that took the field at Vicarage Road. I guess only Jim can help me here. So, with little notice here is my brief preview for what should be a cracking game under the Franklins Gardens lights. Come On You Saints.
Newport Gwent Dragons - Extremely Brief History
Newport Gwent Dragons were formed in 2003 following the regionalisation of Welsh Rugby and are closely linked with Bedwas RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC, Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC. Never has the naming of a side caused so much unrest amongst fans, financial backers and former payers. It’s a long, long story and so throughout this brief preview, I will simply refer to them as Dragons – primarily because Newport Gwent Dragons is a lot of typing.
The Dragons were initially coached by Mike Ruddock backed up with Clive Griffiths and that first year was to be the regions most successful. Rodney Parade became a ‘Fortress’ and the Dragons finished a credible 3rd in the Celtic League. That success led to Ruddock getting the Wales Coaching job and a certain Percy Montgomery getting clawed back to South Africa. The following year, the Dragons recruited Gareth Cooper, Kevin Morgan and Ceri Sweeney from the disbanded Celtic Warriors however, and probably significantly, lost the services of Declan Kidney who decided to head off to look after Leinster. Former Australian rugby league coach Chris Anderson was appointed but despite the Dragons finishing fourth in the league, was not offered an extension to his initial contract. Enter Paul Turner and a few years of mediocrity apart from the Challenge Cup Semi Final in 2006-2007. It was a radical change in recruitment policy in 2008 that saw a significant change to the Dragons fortunes – the Dragons looked to the Southern Hemisphere to boost the squad with New Zealander Tom Ellis joining and being made club captain. In 2009-2010, the Dragons remained unbeaten at Rodney Parade but failed to reach the first League play off.
The Dragons This Season
Magners League - Dragons (10th ) – Played 7, W(3) L(4)
Heineken Cup - Dragons Played (2) L(2)
LV Cup - Dragons 18 Gloucester 12
Possible Dragons Line Up
Im clutching at straws here as I have no idea who will line up for the Dragons – this was the team that put Gloucester away last week and so I guess that most of them will be available on Friday. The fullback looks a decent sort of chap and I will be checking the family tree just to check if there is a link in case I have to shout for Newport on Friday. A big thank you to the NGW fans for helping me with some of the additional comments.
Pat Leach - quite exciting - signed from Manchester
Adam Hughes - Getting his chance due to call up to Harries and the fact that Harries has been playing full back for us. Seems more than steady and got 4 or 5 tries this season so far.
Rhodri Gomer-Davies, (former Saint)
Ashley Smith - good tackler, directs the backs play and has good insight into attacking play.
Aled Brew (former Bristol) - Fringes of Welsh squad. Big, strong, fast, brave
Matthew Jones
James Leadbeater;
Hugh Gustafson
Tom Willis (capt),
Pat Palmer,
Adam Jones
Scott Morgan,
Lewis Evans,
Robin Sowden-Taylor
Hugo Ellis. (former Wasp)
Tom Cooper Wing/Centre - Young, fairly raw but watch out he may put in a good shift.
Ben Castle – Tight Head Prop - Very destructive in the scrums.
Jevon Groves - Wales under 20s captain now playing back row
Nigel "The Butcher" Hall - used to play for Nottingham - Kiwi, decent enough
Possible Saints Line Up
I really have no idea so please add your own comments and help me predict who will be wearing the Green Black and Gold.
Previous Anglo Welsh Encounters:
The honours are even in this competition with each team having won the home fixture. Interesting to look at the Saints squad from 2005 with just three players from that team in the Saints squad of 2010. Guess it highlights the changes that have taken place in just 5 years.
October 2005 – Saints 32 Dragons 7
http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/rugby/2211.php
15 Bruce Reihana
14 Sean Lamont
13 Jon Clarke
12 David Quinlan
11 Ben Cohen
10 Carlos Spencer
9 Mark Robinson
1 Tom Smith
2 Dan Richmond
3 Chris Budgen
4 Selborne Boome
5 Damien Browne
6 Steve Thompson
7 Darren Fox
8 Mark Soden
reps: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 David Gerard, 19 Sam Harding, 20 Johnny Howard, 21 Rhodri Gomer-Davies, 22 Seamus Mallon
October 2006 - Dragons 26 Saints 7
How the Dragons See it
Its difficult to judge how the Dragons fans are seeing this game as Official and Non Official fans forums seem to focus on reasons why the true supporters are unable to travel on a Friday night to the depths of the Midlands. Must confess, I do sympathise with them and wonder what a different atmosphere we might have got had this fixtures been played on a Saturday or Sunday. A summary of the forums suggest that our visitors seem to like Franklins Gardens but question our sense of humour. They also think that Franklins Gardens is better than High Wycombe – very perceptive.
"at the risk of
offending someone, the trouble with franklins gardens is that it's full of
saints fans...like leicester fans, but without the sense of humour.
and if you don't believe me, read what they'll be saying about this comment in
a month or so.
it is a nice ground mind. i went last time we played them, and got hammered.
(the drags got hammered. i didn't get hammered, i was driving. which also may
explain why i didn't enjoy it so much.)
it's better than high wycombe, though.” …………. Nick, site admin, Sept 2010
“I'll be going up. Mate in
work is a Saints
ST
holder. I've been there for both the Drags Anglo Welsh games - hammered in
both, I was also there for a Scarlets HC game (brother had a box) - they were
hammered too.
I do like the ground though. Saints putting the kids out in the LV this season as the 1sts blew up @ the end
of the season.” ……….. Dragon Eye, Sep
2010
And finally - predictions
I’m predicting a windy evening, with occasional showers with temperatures about 8 degrees.
I’m predicting the Assistant Referee/Touch Judge/Lineman will get a lot of stick and be accused of eating far too many pies which has impacted his waistline and of course his sight.
I’m predicting an open, exciting game with a narrow Saints victory and the debut of a new hat for me.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:11:10:12:38:40 by Phil..
Many, many thanks, Bob.
Saint til I die
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:11:10:13:07:51 by Howlin.
Saint til I die
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Ps The first Big persons rugby game i ever saw was on a Boxing day at Rodney Parade - Newport against Watsonians I was about 9 /10 yrs old
The reason for the drop in performance and the failure to re-sign Anderson the coach was that the backer, an Englishman with his business in Newport and was the reason why they could afford Teichmann and Percy, dropped out so that they were forced to live within their means. Not a bad thing as they, like Scarlets, have to develop Welsh talent to survive. If it helps Bleach, apparently the full back is a North Walian.
Their previous visit to FG coincided with the time when there were only 3 pool games. Clubs took the competition more seriously when they had 2 home games. Turner won his first home game, sent a much changed weaker team for the away game against the Saints, hoping to win the pool by winning his other home game, didn't happen. May do the same again but, with Welsh call-ups and injuries, he does not have that much flexibility. If its Charteris and Sidoli in the 2nd row and Gavin Thomas in the back row then you know he has come to compete.
dej
[draggedup.co.uk]
i've already apologised for saying you had less humour than leicester fans...
Is there a financial crisis at Plonker Parade?
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
i've got some more explicit ones. meet me round the back in, say, ten minutes?
i've also got some of colin noon in a mini skirt... any takers? no?
Does that mean Dragons will only be half trying?
