Dragons - Factfile - Connacht Clan

Details: Written by Borders No 2; Published: September 02, 2014; Hits: 2320

Dragons

Connacht v Newport-Gwent Dragons

Guinness Pro 12 Round 1

Saturday 6th September 2014 Kick Off 17:00 Galway Sportsground

After four months of a wait, Pro 12 rugby returns to the Sportsground this Saturday evening. Connacht host Newport-Gwent Dragons in a game which has traditionally gone well for Connacht. Dragons last win in Galway came just 6 days after Connacht narrowly lost the two leg European Challenge Cup Semi-Final to Harlequins in 2004.

Welsh Regional Rugby has seen a lot of upheaval in recent times but Dragons appear to have strengthened over the close season and 3 wins from 3 in pre-season including a 2 point win over Northampton Saints indicates that they will travel to the West of Ireland full of belief as they look to qualify for the European Cup for the first time since 2010/11.

Other Match Stats

Connacht have won the last 3 meetings between the sides
Connacht's last league win was a bonus point win away to Dragons on March 23rd
Since the advent of the Celtic League in 2001/02 Connacht have won 10 of their 13 opening fixtures in the competition. Connacht's opening day winning streak was brought to a halt by Ospreys in September 2008 as they emerged from the Sportsground with a 16-3 victory
Connacht have twice defeated Dragons at home on the opening day. 22-7 in September 2007 and a 40-17 bonus point victory in Eric Elwood's first game in charge in September 2010
Connacht's highest official attendance for an opening day fixture was 4,084 in the 25-16 victory over Zebre last season.

Newport-Gwent Dragons Stats

Website: www.newportgwentdragons.com/
Founded: 2003 (Setup as a Regional Side)
Ground: Rodney Parade
Capacity: 11,676
Captain: Lee Byrne
Coaches: Kingsley Jones

Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: 9th Played 22 Points 35
European Challenge Cup 2013/14: 2nd in Pool 2 Points 14
Anglo-Welsh Cup 2013/14: 4th in Pool 1 Points 4

Previous Fixtures

Dragons 20-19 Benetton Treviso (Pro 12 Round 22 2013/14)
Bristol 19-34 Dragons (Friendly)
Lydney 0-36 Dragons (Friendly)
Dragons 27-25 Northampton (Friendly)

Next League Fixture:

Friday 12th September 2014 Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys @ Rodney Parade. Kick Off: 19:35

Challenge Cup (Pool 3)
Stade Francais Paris
Dragons
Newcastle
Europe 2 Qualifiers

Dragons Ins and Outs

Players In
Aled Brew from Biarritz Olympique
Lee Byrne from Clermont Auvergne
Rhys Buckley from Moseley
Boris Stankovich from Leicester Tigers
Ian Gough from London Irish
Dave Young from Jersey
Rynard Landman from Free State Cheetahs
Lloyd Fairbrother from Exeter Chiefs
Andy Powell from Wigan Warriors
Brok Harris from Western Province / Stormers

Players Out
Ieuan Jones to Cardiff Blues
Will Harries released
Sam Parry to Ospreys
Dan Evans to Ospreys
Steffan Jones loan to Bedford Blues
Robert Sidoli retired
Jevon Groves released
Darren Waters to London Welsh
Kris Burton released

Previous Meetings

Sunday 23rd March 2014 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Dragons 8-24 Connacht
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/14535.php

Saturday 21st December 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Connacht 14-11 Dragons
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/13650.php

Posts in discussion: Connacht V Dragons 6/09/2014 5pm

RogueXV replied the topic: #28498 10 years 1 week ago

Good to get the season started off with a win. It wasn't as comfortable as it could have been but there were some very good performances. You wouldn't expect perfection the first real day out but Connacht will have to work on a few things. The backline defense has to improve quickly. Hopefully Henshaw's return will aid in that department because in the second half it felt like when the Dragon's were at full strength they were causing Connacht enough problems. Not sure where the answer lies with the goal kicking accuracy but if Connacht are to keep the scoreboard ticking over and put opponents away it will need to be addressed. A win against Edinburgh would be good especially with tough games against Leinster and Glasgow to follow.

salmson replied the topic: #28491 10 years 1 week ago

wp_rathead wrote: Missed penalities. The most frustrating one out of them was Miah's miss - everyone in the Clan knew he hadn't the legs to get it, was head scratching who ever gave the call for it? (possibly White, think Muldoon was off at that stage?)

White was gone by that stage too. Heenan was acting captain and made the call. Seemed to overrule Nikora, who initially shaped to go for the corner.

wp_rathead replied the topic: #28484 10 years 1 week ago

Layden and Niyi were encouraging - obvo improvements needed and mistakes made by both but very happy with how they performed. Niyi needs bulk up a bit - but my gawd the lad has SERIOUS GAS! I'd start Leader FB and Robbie 13 vs Edinburgh.

Porter had decent run out - certainly not as frustrating as Murphy and POD anyhow - be handy squad player season ahead.

Roux played well but frustrated with him giving away a penalty when we were 10 metres from try line. The crowd went bananas but ref was dead right and perhaps Roux was lucky not get a yellow, McSharry had just gone in bin so prob didn't wanna send another straight away..

Heff had a smashing opening 20 - but then messed up own lineout and Dragons went up pitch and scored try in corner.. He had a great game in the loose has to be said.

Carty had two great cross field kicks for Poolman, but some off his tactical kicking was a tad suspect at times (you don't want to be kicking straight down the park into Lee Byrne).

Apart from that, scrum and lineout seemed solid enough. Dennis and Kearney had great game I thought.

George deserves special mention - was outstanding 2nd half and (despite Eoin taking try well) he should start next week vs Edinburgh..

In Heenan and Poolman we have lads that wouldn't look out of place in international side - they are vital to our season (although Faloon played well when he came on has be said)

Plus - my 6/1 "Poolman Top Connacht Try Scorer" off to daycent start (has to before Marimon gets back in the fecker)

Downsides:
8-0 up we need be more ruthless.
Missed penalities. The most frustrating one out of them was Miah's miss - everyone in the Clan knew he hadn't the legs to get it, was head scratching who ever gave the call for it? (possibly White, think Muldoon was off at that stage?)
Defence again at times worrying

salmson replied the topic: #28483 10 years 1 week ago

This is on Teilifís na Gaillimhe also

www.tg4.ie/en/programmes/rugby-on-tg4/home.html

for those who have trouble with Other Channels on the Sky Box...

ConnachtCows replied the topic: #28482 10 years 1 week ago

Good result on Saturday. People were talking up the Dragons before the game, mentioning their good pre-season.
I wasn't too confident when our team was named, but we had the beating of them all game long. There were at least 4 kicks from Connacht that took unlucky bounces, and on another day, would have led to more scores for us.
We seemed to relax each time we built up a lead, so that's something to work on. We need to keep going when we're on the front foot.

Very impressed with Porter, and thought Poolman was very hungry. Niyi looked good, but you cant judge a player on one game. I'm sure he can push on, and keep improving.

We need to build on this start, and attack Edinburgh, and treat it like the important match it is. If we're serious about targetting 6th, this is a game we have to be winning

Anything from Glasgow, Ulster, Leinster, Munster and the Ospreys should be a bonus. It's everyone else we need to take points from.

swift4prez replied the topic: #28481 10 years 1 week ago

Sol_ie wrote:
swift4prez wrote: good to meet old faces from here, a few pints were had. also good meeting Ger C for the first time

*cough* Dail this Friday from 7 ish *cough cough*

you got to work better on your marketing skills Sol.

"This friday after 7, you can watch Swift4prez live on tv in the Dail bar, waving at the cameras when BBCalba are showing connacht fans celebrating a bonus point win vs edinburgh. Show up early to get good seats incase you fail to see him. Best entertainment in galway this friday night".

Sol_ie replied the topic: #28479 10 years 1 week ago

swift4prez wrote: good to meet old faces from here, a few pints were had. also good meeting Ger C for the first time

*cough* Dail this Friday from 7 ish *cough cough*

salmson replied the topic: #28478 10 years 1 week ago

swift4prez wrote: ...other problem i had was layden dropped a catch, ball went through his hands and between his legs. How is it a knock on if it went through his legs?...

That was right in front of us, Clan side of the pitch in the first half I think: Layden was moving forward, ball went down and forward then bounced back through his legs. Looked marginal but correct from where we were standing.

Layden had a mixed afternoon but he was the source of the break that led to the first try, standing up two Dragons before putting Heffernan through the gap with a lovely soft pass.

I presume Marmion and Henshaw will start next week with Layden moving to the bench and Leader going to fullback. Hopefully that'll sort a few of the defensive issues in the backline.

Regarding knock-ons I note Lyn Jones is whining about needing a TMO at all matches (that much is perfectly reasonable in fairness to the guy) because a knockon was given against them that wasn't, denying Dragons a try. Pure nonsense of course, their player dropped the ball forward onto the ground then reached forward to pick it up, but it's good to see the teams we need to finish behind us getting their excuses in often and early.

ummm, replied the topic: #28477 10 years 1 week ago

Great to get the season off to a winning start but for all the positivity I can't help feel we let ourselves down in allowing the Dragons to leave with an LBP.

From following the game on the radio it sounded like we had most of the possession and should have pressed our advantage more. Another 33% kicking ratio is just not on. If Leader isn't making his kicks then we have another kicker in Porter, let him at it. Leaving 10 points out on the pitch might not have mattered much this time out, but we know from last year just how important it is in the long run.

Also, the home jersey is worse than I thought. Fine when front-on, but a navy shirt running at black shirts was impossible to follow on the highlights reel, can't imagine what it was like for 80 minutes.

clanman replied the topic: #28474 10 years 1 week ago

the positives first, I thought our power up front was impressive, and looks like we are getting back to something like where we were 3/4 years ago with our Pack dominating teams. Still the same issues as last year out in the backline, defensively very poor I thought, we need to learn from Leinster where they re-allign and organise themselves defensively Phase after Phase, even when the first tackle is missed we have to close down the space. Leydan got off to an ok start but then steadily got worse as the game went on, he is not a backup to Henshaw.

The pack is near to full-strength whereas the backline currently is at it's weakest and we will see a lot of changes for the better as we head into November but for the next month we will have to keep it tight and let the forwards win us games.

swift4prez replied the topic: #28470 10 years 1 week ago

First off, win is a win. we got 4points. pity results elsewhere didnt go our way. edinburgh winning and scarlets draw.
I was very nervous coming into this match, alot of people talking dragons up, there own fans expecting 5 points

and our injury list. i agree with what most said re players, buckley great again, george doing well. porter is a lot better than murphy and POD. Id guess the reason KM got a run out was that Joe Schmidt was here, looked up at him few times, looked like he was very much enjoying himself.
Thought ref did okay, missed a crazy lineout from the dragons, not sure why touchjudge didnt help him out, only other problem i had was layden dropped a catch, ball went through his hands and between his legs. How is it a knock on if it went through his legs?
Oh ya Niyi had a great 1st match. Great play to set Mckeon up. He chased everything, connacht have been lacking that for few seasons.
he ran down the line a few times and kicked ahead but unlucky not to get anything out of it. He really lifted the crowd when he chased a kick in the second half in front of me in the clan stand and won a penalty.

Bring on Edinburgh i say! They were average vs Munster who had players out who are lucky to be earning a wage from playing.
if we up our game, we can win. Its not a game we should win but its a game we could win. ill call it 50/50.

on a side note, good to meet old faces from here, a few pints were had. also good meeting Ger C for the first time

OldSchool replied the topic: #28468 10 years 1 week ago

Great Game, there is a lot of improvement required around the pitch. Looked a lot better in the second half when we carried the ball and attacked around the rucks.
The next 4 games will give us a good indication of where the team is at and if we have improved on last year.

Sol_ie replied the topic: #28464 10 years 1 week ago

Agree with most of whats been said here. I did think Leyden acquited himself quite well. Adeolokun had a great turn of pace and had two little grubbers down the line that he was unlucky not to have made anything of. Pack was great, Buckley had an immense game, great to see.

I thought the defence was a bit lacking, we had lots of flat balls that were ripe for an intercept, a lot of the play was lateral etc.

Way more positives than negatives, can't wait for the rest of the season!

Magpie replied the topic: #28463 10 years 1 week ago

Firstly delighted with the win, a win in the sunshine is a rare thing in the Sportsground so savour it.

I cannot disagree with most of what has been said, the pack were fantastic, great scrum, good mauls. Dragons tried a few mauls which went nowhere.

I do not know what happened after we went 8-0 up but we had 20 minutes of sloppy play that nearly cost us dear. I thought we coped quite well when down to 14, we slowed the game and ran the clock down without much happening, and this was when dragons were at their strongest.

The decision, when we had restored out 8 point cushion and with 15 minutes on the clock, to kick for the line and not go for the 3 points was poor. As it turned out we had a bad line out and Dragoons cleared their lines, 11 points up with 15 minutes is a nice lead and one that allows for a mistake without having to hit the panic button.

Three minutes later Miah takes on a harder kick and misses it. I'm not sure who was captain at that stage, as Muldoon was not on the field, but that was some poor decision making and as a direct consequence the last 5 minutes were far tenser than they need to be.

menacethedenis replied the topic: #28462 10 years 1 week ago

Delighted with the win although the last five minutes were very tense. Dragons are a poor side, I don't think we were massively better than them though. McKeon took his try well but I thought he was very poor apart from that. Georgie was barnstorming when he came on. I agree he looked like he's back to his best but if he can't reproduce this form regularly we are in huge trouble at 8. I thought heffernan had a great game and looks to have seriously bulked up over the summer. Apart from those glorious cross-field kicks I thought Carty was poor also. The backs looked like headless chickens at times and our lack of experience is glaring at the moment. We looked sharper when Miah came on but Mils can't get out there quick enough. Niyi did very well on his league debut, his lack of size is a concern but he might be the quickest player I've ever seen in our colours. I think the first thing he did was knock the ball on but after that he looked very dangerous. Plenty of positives to take but definite work needed if we're going to get anything in Edinburgh next week.

RonanL replied the topic: #28460 10 years 1 week ago

Agree with everything Diom said. Carty is clearly a skillful footballer, those cross field kicks were inch perfect, but in general I thought he struggled a bit. Layden looked out of his depth and II thought our lineout was dodgy too - it was obvious that Heffernan's poor throwing is still an issue. Having said that, I thought we played well and shouldn't have given the Dragons the opportunity to nick it at the end. Thankfully they couldn't take their chances. A win in the first game of the season, so onwards and upwards.

salmson replied the topic: #28459 10 years 1 week ago

Entire pack was good, Roux like the rest was solid and lasted the full 80, jumped at the front of the lineout on our ball, was a lifter on theirs. . Dragons scrum under pressure from first to last.

Darragh507 replied the topic: #28458 10 years 1 week ago

How was roux ?

Front row good?

connachta replied the topic: #28457 10 years 1 week ago

Lee Byrne pass was indeed forward

connachta replied the topic: #28452 10 years 1 week ago

galway_gas wrote:
connachta wrote: His injury doesn't look too bad?

Same shoulder as was operated on earlier this year but from what I hear its not as bad as was first feared. He still could be out for a few weeks. McKeon came off at half time with concussion but should be ok.
Uncle Joe was at match. I'm sure he was impressed by Bucks and Kearney and pencilling Poolman and Heenan in for the future.

Thanks a lot for those precisions

Yeah I firmly assert we can come from 0 to 5/6 international players in a 2/3 years term

galway_gas replied the topic: #28450 10 years 1 week ago

connachta wrote: His injury doesn't look too bad?

Same shoulder as was operated on earlier this year but from what I hear its not as bad as was first feared. He still could be out for a few weeks. McKeon came off at half time with concussion but should be ok.
Uncle Joe was at match. I'm sure he was impressed by Bucks and Kearney and pencilling Poolman and Heenan in for the future.

Diom replied the topic: #28447 10 years 1 week ago

For me the best thing to come out of that game is the great form that George seems to have (re)found. His work in two separate mauls won them for Connacht. His runs were strong and he was looking for the offload. I don't want to jinx him but it looked like the George of old. McKeon has a fight on his hands which is great for everyone.

Layden obviously has some fitness issues after his long stint out of the game. Personally I think he was not up to scratch, but he had been thrown in at the deep end. Carty had some execution issues as well. I don't think we have our reassurance at ten like we do at 8.

Defense was poor. Griffin is missed. He was running that defensive line last year and no one took that role on yesterday in his absence. Really McShaz as the most experienced lad out there should have stepped up to that particular plate.

Pack was great though and the inexperienced backline did a great job overall to hold out against the Dragon attacks despite organisation and fitness issues. Great win and a great start to the season.

Borders no.2 replied the topic: #28446 10 years 1 week ago

On TG4 at 22.45 along with the other matches for anyone who wants to see it.

connachtexile replied the topic: #28444 10 years 1 week ago

Internet packed in 5 mins into the second half

We won which is great and still have a bunch of big boys to come in. Today is a good day.

connachta replied the topic: #28443 10 years 1 week ago

His injury doesn't look too bad?

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