Newport Gwent Dragons announce the team to play in their 150th game as a region against Perpignan at Rodney Parade on Saturday, in Round 6 of the Heineken Cup (kick-off 1.30pm).
Since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, Newport Gwent Dragons – who represent the South East Wales region – have played 149 games to date, accumulating 73 wins, 75 loses and 1 draw against London Wasps in the EDF Energy Cup at Rodney Parade this season.
Dragons Team Manager Jim McCreedy has spent his career as player and manager within the region since joining the Newport youth team as a young prop in 1964; going on to play senior rugby for Risca, Newport and Newbridge; and managing Newbridge, Newport and the Dragons respectively.
Reflecting on his involvement with the Newport Gwent Dragons through the 149 games, Jim commented:
“The first couple of seasons were a roller coaster journey for the region with a number of different coaches involved but with Paul Turner signing as Head Coach in 2005 he brought coaching stability and regional identity to the Newport Gwent Dragons. We are moving forward, yet we’d all have hoped for greater results on occasions.
“The Dragons have benefited from our academy system with a number of our academy players making their debuts for the regional side, with players like Ashley Smith who has become an ever-present member of the team. We’re proud of our record of developing players within the region and continue to do so as we look ahead to the future,” he continued.
Newbridge-born, former international fly half Paul Turner returned as Head Coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons in 2005 following a coaching career at England’s Gloucester Rugby, Sale Sharks, Bedford and Harlequins since retiring as a player in 1998. He said:
“While the region is still in its infancy we feel that as an organisation we have made some good strides so far. Particularly over the next three years, we’re asking our region to support us and be patient as we build towards redevelopments on and off the pitch. It would be great for our loyal fans and the players if we can achieve a win this weekend, on our 150th game.”
Colin Charvis returns as captain for this weekend’s game alongside Rhys Thomas, who was selected in Gatland’s first Wales squad earlier this week. Paul added:
“We have to be at our very best to beat Perpignan who are without a doubt one of the top French sides, with world-class players. Colin has never had a bad game for the region which pretty much sums up his contribution to the team and Rhys Thomas is also one of the key players who when fit is tremendous about field and getting continuously better at set piece. We’ve trained hard this week and are looking for a win on the weekend.”
The team to face Perpignan is as follows:
15 Aled Thomas
14 Richard Mustoe / Gareth Wyatt
13 Paul Emerick
12 Phillip Dollman
11 Richard Fussell
10 Ceri Sweeney
9 Wayne Evans
1 Adam Black
2 Ben Daly
3 Rhys Thomas
4 Adam Jones
5 Peter Sidoli
6 Joe Bearman
7 Colin Charvis (Captain)
8 Michael Owen
16 Kieran Crawford
17 Hugh Gustafson
18 Gethin Robinson
19 Andy Hall
20 Lewis Evans
21 Andy Williams / Alex Walker
22 Gareth Wyatt / Ashley Smith
Newport Gwent Dragons Summary:
Played: 149
Won: 73
Drawn: 1
Lost: 75
Points For: 3075
Points Against: 3119
Average For: 20.6
Average Against: 20.9
Since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, Newport Gwent Dragons – who represent the South East Wales region – have played 149 games to date, accumulating 73 wins, 75 loses and 1 draw against London Wasps in the EDF Energy Cup at Rodney Parade this season.
Dragons Team Manager Jim McCreedy has spent his career as player and manager within the region since joining the Newport youth team as a young prop in 1964; going on to play senior rugby for Risca, Newport and Newbridge; and managing Newbridge, Newport and the Dragons respectively.
Reflecting on his involvement with the Newport Gwent Dragons through the 149 games, Jim commented:
“The first couple of seasons were a roller coaster journey for the region with a number of different coaches involved but with Paul Turner signing as Head Coach in 2005 he brought coaching stability and regional identity to the Newport Gwent Dragons. We are moving forward, yet we’d all have hoped for greater results on occasions.
“The Dragons have benefited from our academy system with a number of our academy players making their debuts for the regional side, with players like Ashley Smith who has become an ever-present member of the team. We’re proud of our record of developing players within the region and continue to do so as we look ahead to the future,” he continued.
Newbridge-born, former international fly half Paul Turner returned as Head Coach for the Newport Gwent Dragons in 2005 following a coaching career at England’s Gloucester Rugby, Sale Sharks, Bedford and Harlequins since retiring as a player in 1998. He said:
“While the region is still in its infancy we feel that as an organisation we have made some good strides so far. Particularly over the next three years, we’re asking our region to support us and be patient as we build towards redevelopments on and off the pitch. It would be great for our loyal fans and the players if we can achieve a win this weekend, on our 150th game.”
Colin Charvis returns as captain for this weekend’s game alongside Rhys Thomas, who was selected in Gatland’s first Wales squad earlier this week. Paul added:
“We have to be at our very best to beat Perpignan who are without a doubt one of the top French sides, with world-class players. Colin has never had a bad game for the region which pretty much sums up his contribution to the team and Rhys Thomas is also one of the key players who when fit is tremendous about field and getting continuously better at set piece. We’ve trained hard this week and are looking for a win on the weekend.”
The team to face Perpignan is as follows:
15 Aled Thomas
14 Richard Mustoe / Gareth Wyatt
13 Paul Emerick
12 Phillip Dollman
11 Richard Fussell
10 Ceri Sweeney
9 Wayne Evans
1 Adam Black
2 Ben Daly
3 Rhys Thomas
4 Adam Jones
5 Peter Sidoli
6 Joe Bearman
7 Colin Charvis (Captain)
8 Michael Owen
16 Kieran Crawford
17 Hugh Gustafson
18 Gethin Robinson
19 Andy Hall
20 Lewis Evans
21 Andy Williams / Alex Walker
22 Gareth Wyatt / Ashley Smith
Newport Gwent Dragons Summary:
Played: 149
Won: 73
Drawn: 1
Lost: 75
Points For: 3075
Points Against: 3119
Average For: 20.6
Average Against: 20.9
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