A genuinely 'Possible Dragons XV' to breathe fire in the Pro14 next season
There’s something brewing in Newport.
Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman is building a team ahead of the 2018/19 season that could potentially rival the best in the Pro14. That squad was bolstered today with news that Wales hooker Richard Hibbard will also join at the end of the current season from Gloucester.
The Dragons recruitment drive, buoyed by new financial clout care of the WRU and private investment, means they can now for the first time in a long time, talk about competing at the top end of the table and not the bottom.
With that in mind, here’s a look at a theoretical XV that the Dragons could field next season. Yes, some big names would have to sign and some contracts would have to be bought out, but it makes for an impressive side.
15 Jordan Williams
It isn’t hard to see why the Dragons were so eager to sign highly-rated Williams, who could face a battle with Springbok veteran Zane Kirchner.
14 Hallam Amos
The winger who’s studying medicine in Cardiff was Wales first choice winger during the November Tests and showed his surgical skills on the wing, scoring tries against Australia and Georgia.
13 George North
Increasingly used by Saints as an option at centre, if the Welsh superstar were lured to the region and he could potentially form a sizeable midfield partnership with Jack Dixon on his inside.
12 Jack Dixon
Maybe not quite a household name just yet, in 2011 the 6’2, 105kg Dixon became the youngest player to ever play professionally for the Dragons at the age of just 16 years and 313 days. The Dragons also boast a number of other centre options including former Northampton Saints centre Pat Howard (an SA project player) and Carmarthen born Adam Warren.
11 Ashton Hewitt
Maybe the standout back this season, the 23-year-old Hewitt brings a lethal mix of footwork, pace and power.
10 Gavin Henson
Set to agree terms on another year at the region, veteran pivot Henson has proved invaluable for the Dragons and is departing knowledge to up and coming flyhalf Angus O’Brien. Some hold out hope that may even one day play for Wales again.
9 Rhodri Williams
Having signed from Bristol, the livewire scrumhalf will have had two high scoring seasons at Bristol under his belt before returning to Wales where he will hope to add to his three Welsh caps.
8 Toby Faletau
If the Dragons can buy the British and Irish Lion Number 8 out of his two year contract at Bath, he would represent probably the biggest signing in the club’s history. Hard to quantify just how big a coup his return to Rodney Parade would be.
7 Oliver Griffiths
The former Welsh U20s captain, Griffiths has already captained the region and is being talked about in glowing terms. Dragons could just as easily deploy the hugely efficient and effective James Benjamin in his place, as he has just signed a three year deal.
6 Ross Moriarty
A huge statement of intent was made when the Jackman secured the signing of the former British and Irish Lions bruiser. Will provide much of the hard nose Jackman is so desperate to imbue his pack with.
5 Cory Hill
Capped eight times for Wales, Hill made his international debut last year and was vice-captain of this year’s summer tour before the Lions came calling in July.
4 Luke Charteris
Another player that could potentially be bought out of his Bath contract, the 6’9, 125kg giant is one of the best lineout locks in Europe and would add size, experience and huge rugby IQ to the team. Has an able apprentice in 6’6, 116kg Matthew Screech.
3 Leon Brown
The 6’3, 126kg Brown made his debut for Wales this November and is fast becoming the cornerstone of Jackman’s pack. Will however have to fight it out with the sizeable Lloyd Fairbrother and Sam Hobbs on the tighthead side.
2 Richard Hibbard
Will have a battle on his hands with young Welsh hooker Elliot Dee, Hibbard brings a shock of blonde hair and masses of ball carrying endevour and road miles to boot.
1 Ryan Bevington
The former Opsreys loosehead joins from Bristol and will be hopeful of adding to his 15 Welsh caps. Will have to contend with Brok Harris and several other young props looking to make their name at the region.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments