Dragons bolster back three with the signing of Scarlets’ Evans and Ospreys’ Prydie

Posted on May 16, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon

Newport Gwent Dragons are delighted to announce 2 new signings to bolster their squad ahead of the 2012/2013 season.

Full back Dan Evans, 23, joins the Dragons from the Scarlets whilst full back/wing Tom Prydie, 20, also makes the move East from the Ospreys. Their recruitment comes days after the Leinster game where the Dragons bid farewell to back 3 players Aled Brew and Martyn Thomas.

Both Dan and Tom have huge potential and are Wales caps but have had limited opportunities up until now.

Dan Evans rose through the ranks at the Scarlets and has been a mainstay in the squad over the past 3 seasons. He has racked up 14 appearances for the Scarlets this season including home and away against the Dragons. Dan won two caps on Wales’s 2009 North America tour, making his debut in the 32-23 win over Canada but has been overlooked since.

On his move to the Dragons, Dan said “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s exciting to be joining a squad with the amount of young talent that the Dragons has at the moment. I’m eager to press for some more game time and hopefully help push for a successful season here at the Dragons.”

(more…)

Danny Wilson leaves the Dragons

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon, Welsh Rugby

Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed that forwards coach Danny Wilson will leave the region to take up a post with an undisclosed team at the end of the season.

Danny has been with the region as forwards coach since 2010 and has overseen the rise of a number of the Dragons’ young front rowers who have been thrust into the squad following retirements to key players.

Dragons Director of Rugby Rob Beale said “We would like to thank Danny for his contribution to the region and we wish him well in his future career.”

Danny said “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Dragons. I’d like to thank the region for the opportunities offered to me and wish them the best of luck for next season and beyond.”

Dragons name squad for season finale

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon, Welsh Rugby

Newport Gwent Dragons have named a 28 man squad ahead of the final match of the season against Leinster on Saturday (7:30pm).

It could be third time lucky for Luke Charteris as he looks to rack up his 100th RaboDirect PRO12 appearance after having to pull out at the last minute before the previous two games. It would also be his last appearance at Rodney Parade before leaving at the end of the season.

Hallam Amos is retained in the squad and is joined by fellow 17 year old Jack Dixon, both of whom have had RaboDirect PRO12 experience this season with the Dragons.

Tonderai Chavhanga is unavailable for selection after undergoing minor knee surgery last weekend.

(more…)

Buckley only change to settled Connacht side

Posted on Apr 20, 2012 in Connacht, Irish Rugby

Connacht Rugby have announced the XV to face Aironi in the last home game of the season (The Sportsground – Saturday 21st April – kick-off 17.00)

The only change to last week’s starting side is Denis Buckley who joins the front-row in place of the injury Brett Wilkinson. Brett picked up a calf strain in last week’s victory over Ulster and will now face a race against time to be fit for Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand.

Recent victories over the Dragons and Ulster have left Eric Elwood’s side well placed to climb the RaboDirect PRO12 table and with just two points separating Connacht from the Dragons and Treviso a best ever eighth place finish is certainly within reach.

Speaking about the selection Head Coach Eric Elwood said:

"We’re looking for a strong performance and to finish the season on a high. We’ve had some excellent results in recent weeks and we hope to build on that and finish on an up. It’ll be a big day for the likes of Ray (Ofisa) and Henry (Fa’afili) playing in front of the home crowd for the last time so it would be great to give them the send off they deserve and finish with a win."

Connacht Rugby XV to face Aironi (The Sportsground – Saturday 21st April – kick-off 17.00)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Tiernan O’Halloran

13 Kyle Tonetti

12 Henry Fa’afili

11 Fetu’u Vainikolo

10 Miah Nikora

09 Frank Murphy

01 Denis Buckley

02 Ethienne Reynecke

03 Ronan Loughney

04 Michael Swift

05 Mike McCarthy

06 John Muldoon

07 Ray Ofisa

08 George Naoupu

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Stewart Maguire

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Mick Kearney

20 Johnny O’Connor

21 Paul O’Donohoe

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Eoin Griffin

Hallam Amos makes first start for Dragons vs Ospreys

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon, Welsh Rugby

Newport Gwent Dragons have made 4 changes to the side for this week’s derby clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday (7:05pm)

17 year old Hallam Amos will make his first RaboDirect PRO12 start at full back in place of Will Harries who went off injured last week. It will be Hallam’s second start for the Dragons after playing in the LV= Cup victory away at London Wasps earlier in the season.

At the other end of the experience scale, Luke Charteris is named in the starting line-up and will make his 100th RaboDirect PRO12 appearance on Friday night.

The other change in the backs comes at scrum half where Wayne Evans starts in place of Joe Bedford.

There are two changes in the pack, Steve Jones replaces Sam Parry at hooker and Jevon Groves starts at lock ahead of Rob Sidoli who is fast approaching 2000 minutes of rugby this season, having played an incredible 1952 minutes for the Dragons already.

Pat Leach is named on the bench and could be in line to make his first appearance since breaking his hand in the match between these sides in the LV= Cup match at the Brewery Field in January.

Newport Gwent Dragons Team

15 Hallam Amos

14 Tonderai Chavhanga

13 Adam Hughes

12 Ashley Smith

11 Aled Brew

10 Lewis Robling

9 Wayne Evans

1 Nathan Williams

2 Steve Jones

3 Nathan Buck

4 Luke Charteris (c)

5 Jevon Groves

6 Danny Lydiate

7 Lewis Evans

8 Toby Faletau

Replacements

16 Sam Parry

17 Phil Price

18 Dan Way

19 Rob Sidoli

20 Tom Brown

21 Joe Bedford

22 Martyn Thomas

23 Pat Leach