Newport Gwent Dragons

The Newport Gwent Dragons (Welsh: Casnewydd Dreigiau Gwent ) are a professional rugby union team from the Welsh town of Newport. They play in the international championship Pro12 and in the Anglo- Welsh Cup competition Anglo -Welsh Cup. The home games are played in the Rodney Parade.

History

Until the 2003/04 season the Welsh Rugby was divided in a typical pyramid leagues, with nine professional clubs in the top league. Thus, the system was similar to the Guinness Premiership in England and the Top 14 in France. However, the Welsh market proved to be too small for nine professional teams. Then began the nine professional clubs to join together in regional teams. In the region of Newport, these were the Newport RFC and Ebbw Vale RFC. The amateur and junior teams continue to operate under the original terms.

In their first season (2003/ 04), the Dragons reached the third place, her best result in the Celtic League. In the European Cup competition the Heineken Cup they could never qualified for the quarter-finals. In 2007, she reached the semi-finals in the European Challenge Cup, then lost but against the French club ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Regional breakdown

The professional rugby in Wales is based on four franchises that are owned by the Association Welsh Rugby Union, covering a specific area. The franchise of the Newport Gwent Dragons comprises the southeastern part of Wales. The team is allowed to absorb all the players who play for clubs in the area, in their squad.

Achievements

  • Celtic League: 3rd place 2004
  • European Challenge Cup: Semi-finalist 2007

Player

Current squad

The squad for the 2013/2014 season:

Front team ( forwards)

Pillar

  • Wales Nathan Buck
  • Argentina Tetaz Chaparro
  • Wales Aaron Coundley
  • Wales Owen Evans
  • Wales Phil Price
  • England Dan Way
  • Wales Nathan Williams

Hooker

  • Wales Hugh Gustafson
  • Wales Sam Parry
  • Wales Thomas Rhys Thomas

Second - row players

  • Wales Adam M. Jones
  • Scotland Ian Nimmo
  • Wales Robert Sidoli

Winger

  • Wales Andrew Coombs
  • Wales Nic Cudd
  • Wales Lewis Evans
  • Wales Jevon Groves
  • Wales Darren Waters

Number Eight

  • Wales Toby Faletau
  • Wales Ieuan Jones
  • Fiji Netani Talei

Behind team ( backs)

Scrum half

  • Wales Jonathan Evans
  • Wales Wayne Evans
  • Wales Richie Rees

Compound Semiconductors

  • Italy Kris Burton
  • Wales Steffan Jones
  • Wales Lewis Robling
  • Wales Jason Tovey

Indoor Three Quarter

  • Wales Jack Dixon
  • Wales Adam Hughes
  • Wales Patrick Leach
  • Wales Ashley Smith

Outer three-quarters

  • Wales Will Harries
  • Wales Matthew Pewtner
  • Wales Mike Poole
  • Wales Tom Prydie
  • Wales Ross Wardle

Goalkeeper

  • Hallam Amos Wales
  • Wales Daniel Evans

Well-known former players

  • James Arlidge (Japan)
  • Colin Charvis
  • Luke Charteris
  • Gareth Cooper
  • Ian Gough
  • Mike Hercus (USA)
  • Dan Lydiate
  • Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
  • Kevin Morgan
  • Michael Owen
  • Bobby Skinstad (South Africa)
  • Rod Snow ( Canada )
  • Ceri Sweeney
  • Gavin Thomas
  • Sione Tu'ipulotu ( Tonga )
2012–13 Pro12 Anglo-Welsh Cup Sports franchising Connacht Rugby Leinster Rugby Munster Rugby Ulster Rugby Benetton Rugby Treviso Edinburgh Rugby Glasgow Warriors Cardiff Blues Ospreys (rugby team) Aironi Border Reivers (Rugby) Celtic Warriors
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