Ian Nimmo back to boost Dragons (From South Wales Argus)
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Ian Nimmo back to boost Dragons
11:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport
By Chris Kirwan
LOCK Ian Nimmo is back in contention for selection for Newport Gwent Dragons’ Amlin Challenge Cup finale against Wasps, much to the surprise of his coaches.
The region were prepared to be without the 27-year-old for two months after he injured his knee in the away defeat to Mogliano in December.
However, the summer signing from Cornish Pirates is back way ahead of schedule and could feature in the Dragons’ final European clash against Pool Three winners Wasps.
“I have never heard of anyone recovering as fast from a grade three (injury to knee ligaments),” admitted head coach Darren Edwards.
“It was a long-term injury and to be honest we weren’t expecting him to be back in the mix.
“He has done his work and is back and it’s good timing because Adam Jones has a hip niggle.”
The news isn’t as good on flying winger Tonderai Chavhanga, who faces another scan on his injured knee.
The damage sustained against Connacht in Galway isn’t thought to be serious but could keep the former Springboks speedster sidelined for a few more weeks.
The Dragons name their side this afternoon and are waiting to see if they get the all clear on Nimmo and fly-half/full-back Dan Evans, who has returned to training after missing the last three games with an ankle injury.
It would be a major boost if they get the green light as the region attempts to claim their first proper scalp of the European campaign following a pair of narrow losses to Bayonne and a thumping at the hands of Wasps at Adams Park.
Dai Young’s side have already secured top spot in the group but head to Rodney Parade needing to win to earn a home quarter-final.
There will also be close scrutiny on their selection in the back row amid a kerfuffle surrounding number eight Billy Vunipola. The 20-year-old, who is Toby Faletau’s cousin, will leave the club and join Aviva Premiership rivals Saracens next season, linking up with his brother Mako.
“We are clearly hugely disappointed,” said director of rugby Young.
“During our contract talks, the player had been adamant that he did not want to leave the club, but we know he was under pressure for family reasons to go and join his brother at Saracens.”
Dragons squad: H Amos, T Prydie, M Poole, W Harries, A Hughes, J Dixon, A Smith, S Jones, D Evans, W Evans, J Evans, P Price, O Evans, H Gustafson, S Parry, N Buck, D Way, R Sidoli, A Coombs, I Nimmo, J Groves, L Evans, I Jones, T Faletau, N Cudd.
Comments(16)
let em swing
says...
12:52pm Wed 16 Jan 13
let em swing
says...
12:53pm Wed 16 Jan 13
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
1:38pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Robert Shillabeer
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2:16pm Wed 16 Jan 13
kalwales@hotmail.com wrote:Nothing of the sort Kal, just can't stand lazy reporting, must at least get his facts right before going to print. Just lazy work getting the least thing right the Dragons won not lose the game.
Sounds like echo's from the Hazell Terrace & Stand !!
Robert Shillabeer
says...
2:20pm Wed 16 Jan 13
let em swing wrote:Cant see them rushing him back for a game with nothing on it other than a bit of pride. There are more games with some meaning coming up where he would be needed much more. Perhaps the injury wasn't as bad as thought but hope it holds up.
And having had knee ligament and cartlidge trouble, that either wasnt a grade 3 injury, or they are rushing him back and he will breakdown again.
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
2:50pm Wed 16 Jan 13
let em swing
says...
4:06pm Wed 16 Jan 13
kalwales@hotmail.com wrote:If past performances are anything to go by we will be smashed, you must be watching a different team to me.
Lets just hope he is not rushed back too soon :-) Should be a good game tomorrow if past few peformances ar anything to go by.
let em swing
says...
4:08pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Robert Shillabeer wrote:There are no games with any meaning left this season, unless your referring to a bit of regional pride, in which case you will be disappointed as the rest are improving while we flounder.
let em swing wrote:Cant see them rushing him back for a game with nothing on it other than a bit of pride. There are more games with some meaning coming up where he would be needed much more. Perhaps the injury wasn't as bad as thought but hope it holds up.
And having had knee ligament and cartlidge trouble, that either wasnt a grade 3 injury, or they are rushing him back and he will breakdown again.
broadsworddan
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4:11pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Euwan Usami
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6:25pm Wed 16 Jan 13
broadsworddan wrote:Am I the only one who thinks Nimmo has been a non event for the Dragons? I haven't been impressed with anything he's done or not as the case seems to be.
I'd like to see nimmo pick his feet up now. He's got real potential. He's a definite presence around the break down. I felt his confidence dropped the last few games before his injury. Possibly due to some silly handling errors. Don't worry Ian, keep focused on improving, we're behind you. Toby used to make quite a lot of unforced handling errors and look where he is now. You're a beast! Smash em around the park!
dragonsgareth
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9:26pm Wed 16 Jan 13
kalwales@hotmail.com
says...
6:55am Thu 17 Jan 13
I do think the effort and committment has or sorry, is making a return and that can only be a good thing for you - The Fans im sure the results will come good before end of the season
MazYork
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10:28pm Thu 24 Jan 13
MazYork
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10:35pm Thu 24 Jan 13
MazYork
says...
10:37pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Robert Shillabeer says...
12:26pm Wed 16 Jan 13