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Dragons lock out for season

1:20pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Chris Kirwan

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are down to one specialist lock after Adam Jones’ season was ended by an ankle injury.

There is good news on the horizon with captain Luke Charteris close to a return to action following his post-World Cup wrist surgery, potentially against Munster at Rodney Parade on Saturday week.

But with Jones joining his skipper and Scott Morgan (chest) on the sidelines, the Dragons will be forced to once again field a makeshift second row partnership in Sunday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Aironi.

Rob Sidoli and back row forward Jevon Groves joined forces in last weekend’s much-needed win against Edinburgh and will start at the Stadio Zaffanella.

Jones, 32, suffered a blow to his right foot in January’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat at Perpignan.

He was able to feature against Cavalieri Prato seven days later and was then given a three-week rest.

However, the problem returned in the second half of the Dragons’ defeat to Ulster in Belfast and he will undergo an operation this week.

"It’s a huge blow because we started the season with four international second rows and now we are down to one," lamented head coach Darren Edwards.

"It is such a shame because Adam has been playing really well and I would say that he has been one of the stand out members of our team.

"We have lost a very good player and it will have a huge impact on us."

Comments(17)

newportman says...
3:23pm Wed 22 Feb 12

stop wingeing and get on with it Darren,Luke was always going to be missing this time of the season and the other 3 are all getting on,where are the developing 2nd rows? Do your job and stop moaning.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
4:40pm Wed 22 Feb 12

who says he is winging, he is simply stating fact. The loss of such an important player wil have an effect. He will continue to do his job and try and get someone to step in and take on the role. But, remember that there are only so many players at that position the rest are make shift so will need careful planning. Why is it that almost all posters on this site are nothing but a bunch of moaners and complainants, what about some encouragement sometimes????

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East Newport Dave says...
5:35pm Wed 22 Feb 12

Yes we're 2 from bottom now ahead of Aironi and Connacht with the best players queueing up to leave. Stop moaning - all is well!!

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don quixote says...
6:03pm Wed 22 Feb 12

Robert, I have to agree with East Newport Dave. As I have said elsewhere, I admire your faith and positive approach but even you have to admit all is not well at RP at any level. An insider told me recently that the outgoing Chief Exec. had been a waste of space, achieving nothing in his time with us. RP is not well run, hence the need for TB to bring in his own trouble shooter - things now improving, I hear. I admire the philosophy of DE and team but I feel he needs an experienced Director of Rugby to assist him through these troubled times. He was like a rabbit in headlights interviewed after the Scarlets debacle. And they are troubled times - results, performance, position in the table and player emigration confirm that. Did you see the reasons Tovey gave for leaving?The team works really hard but lacks class and depth so I will be watching the recruitment with especial interest in the summer. The injuries occur, in part, because we are forced to play our 'first 22' in so many games.
By the way, I will still be there next season, supporting and encouraging the team, but I reserve the right to express genuine worries and concerns - it shows I care!!

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Gooda says...
6:51pm Wed 22 Feb 12

Any body know if muddy Waters would be available until the end of the season?

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newportman says...
8:11pm Wed 22 Feb 12

My point was we had the same 2nd rows last season,only this year they are older and Luke is automatic Wales player so why no new 2nd rows? Obviously DE didnt want any,so why moan now? You reap what you sow hence poor crowds no identity players leaving in their droves,2 from bottom etc etc etc well done Darren :) positive enough?

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DOWNTHEPIT says...
8:43pm Wed 22 Feb 12

one of the best young second rows i have seen this season is ebbw vales ashley sweet. i know its a big step up from division 1 . but i'd give him a go.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
9:32pm Wed 22 Feb 12

There are yet more first choice players leaving the other regions than the Dragons. One announced today that he's off to play in France that with the other major changes made at the other three regions shows the Dragons in a better light so it's not just the Dragons who are losing key players. Please remember any player who is coming to the end of his contract has the freedom to decide to stay or go somewhere new and that is what Aled Brew and Jason Tovey have decided while Luke is going for the money simply because he is not that many years away from finishing his playing days so you can't blame him for that.

As far as the coaching team goes any head coach wants to build his own team rather than one inherited from his predecessor and I don't think Edwards is out of his depth at all and with the support he has behind him I'm sure things will be better next year.

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cdfdragon says...
10:08pm Wed 22 Feb 12

You know you're in trouble when the loss of a player like Adam jones has such a detrimental impact on the team!

Christ sake the region is a mess!

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Doberman1 says...
11:52pm Wed 22 Feb 12

Robert Shillabeer wrote:
There are yet more first choice players leaving the other regions than the Dragons. One announced today that he's off to play in France that with the other major changes made at the other three regions shows the Dragons in a better light so it's not just the Dragons who are losing key players. Please remember any player who is coming to the end of his contract has the freedom to decide to stay or go somewhere new and that is what Aled Brew and Jason Tovey have decided while Luke is going for the money simply because he is not that many years away from finishing his playing days so you can't blame him for that.

As far as the coaching team goes any head coach wants to build his own team rather than one inherited from his predecessor and I don't think Edwards is out of his depth at all and with the support he has behind him I'm sure things will be better next year.
Robert, your points are usually well made however to say that DE is not out of his depth makes me think you've been at the sherry tonight! Our league position is fully justified because despite having some decent players to select during the season we have been awful, you just cannot argue with that. Like it or not the coach has to take responsibility - I am sure DE has got some decent coaching philosophies but he does not seem capable of managing the team. Look at Newport County for a comparable, the lad Hudson came from Spurs with coaching credentials falling out of every pocket but that did not transfer to results on the pitch, same with us. DE is out of his depth, it's plain for all to see. He needs to be replaced.

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Draigoch says...
8:00am Thu 23 Feb 12

cdfdragon wrote:
You know you're in trouble when the loss of a player like Adam jones has such a detrimental impact on the team!

Christ sake the region is a mess!
What's your point Cdfdragon? That Adam Jones is not a quality player?? He is one of the best second rows in Wales at present but for some reason is continuously overlooked by Wales despite Gatland's 'interest'. His technical skill, experience and work rate is second to none, there is no doubt about it his loss will be a big blow to the Dragons.

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the-dragons says...
9:13am Thu 23 Feb 12

Cdfdragon clearly knowns sweet f a about rugby as Adam Jones has been one of the dragons top player all season

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cdfdragon says...
10:22am Thu 23 Feb 12

My point is that if he is one of our top players that just goes to show how understrength our squad is.

I'm sorry but he is no where near international class. The facts speak for themselves, we are the bottom of every table, apart from Toby and Danny, there's not a lot of quality in that squad.

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gaven21 says...
1:33pm Thu 23 Feb 12

You have to feel for sorry cdfdragon,he must watch a different game to most people or have a problem with Adam Jones.

Jones has been mentioned by other clubs as "the one play to watch" The players look upto him due to his experience and ability. I agree with the statement above, he has been one of top dragons this season.

It is so frustrating to read the tripe cdfdragon feels he needs to write. Why is it so hard for you to wish him a speedy recovery and encourage our players? From your statement it looks like you don't rate Luke,Wayne,Brew,Thom
as,Ashley, etc

Why not change your club?

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Robert Shillabeer says...
3:17pm Thu 23 Feb 12

Perhaps the cdf bit in his name may have something to do with his talk of doom and gloom all the time, but he is entitled to his view, so don't tell him to stop putting two pennies worth forward. Let's hope he says something real soon. It's nice to see there are some people out there who are willing to be positive about the Dragons for a change, post more encouragement in future please.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
4:29pm Thu 23 Feb 12

Doberman1, don't like sherry mor prone to the odd glass of red wine or a good tot of jack Daniels myself but generally prity clear minded unlike some who post on here, no names no patrilineal. Just keep posting your views it makes good reading and sometimes raises the odd chuckle or two, next time you have a drink just enjoy.

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Doberman1 says...
8:27pm Thu 23 Feb 12

Robert Shillabeer wrote:
Doberman1, don't like sherry mor prone to the odd glass of red wine or a good tot of jack Daniels myself but generally prity clear minded unlike some who post on here, no names no patrilineal. Just keep posting your views it makes good reading and sometimes raises the odd chuckle or two, next time you have a drink just enjoy.
Cheers to that!

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