Bedwas hope to help duo shine for Dragons

8:40am Monday 16th July 2012 in Gwent Rugby Photograph of the Author By Chris Kirwan

STARLET: Hallam Amos STARLET: Hallam Amos

TWO of Welsh rugby’s most promising young backs have been assigned to Bedwas for the coming season – but head coach Steve Law doesn’t want them to be plying their trade at Bridge Field.

Instead the Bedwas boss hopes that full-back Hallam Amos and centre Jack Dixon are turning out for the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

The teenage pair made their regional debuts last season and are tipped to play a prominent role this term.

But Amos, who will be in the final year of his A-levels at Monmouth School, and his fellow 17-year-old, Dixon, will also have to impress when on Premiership duty with Bedwas.

“It’s exciting to have Hallam and Jack involved with us but part of our remit is to develop them as quickly as possible,” said Law.

“If they are not playing here for us then we are doing our job because the Dragons want them to be playing more regional rugby.

“That puts pressure on us as a club but that’s exactly what we want – if you are happy to just go with the flow rather than challenge yourself then you are in the wrong game.

“Ultimately the Dragons are still in control of the destiny of all of their young players but we are excited by the role that we are going to play in their development.”

Amos and Dixon will be joined at Bridge Field by fellow academy prospects Lewis Hudd (wing), Ethan Davies (fly-half), Dan Goode (prop), Derryn Jones (second row), Elliott Dee (hooker) and James Benjamin (back row).

They are far more likely to feature prominently for Bedwas and will join a squad that boasts plenty of Premiership experience and also a number of players who still harbour ambitions of becoming professionals.

“The business model of Welsh rugby is about developing your own talent and we are going to have a massive part to play in that,” said Law.

“We have plenty of age-grade internationals that will be with us but the blend of youth and experience will be key.

“There are high hopes for a number of these boys but they certainly won’t all be thrown in together.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day and mistakes will be made. It’s a steep learning curve for these boys but you have got to put up with that because they also have a lot of talent.

“Their ability and enthusiasm will be terrific and I hope they will benefit from the experienced campaigners that we have.”

Among those experienced campaigners will be openside Tom Organ, who has joined fellow back-row forward James Thomas in making the move from Pontypool following their demotion from the Premiership.

Comments(16)

Mr Stuart Parry says...
10:38am Mon 16 Jul 12

Where is the incentive for the people of Bedwas, Cross Keys and even Newport R.F.C to buy a season ticket? We have a failing regional team and there coaching staff meddling in the internal affairs and selection processes(even though this would be denied). A scenario if you will: It's the last game of the 2012/2013 season and Cross Keys are second in the Premiership table playing the last game of the season against Pontypridd. A win for The Keys would see them win the Premiership but wait! Newport Gwent Dragons are suffering an injury crisis (Again!) and need to re-call two important players who have been playing for Cross Keys all season. Shock, horror! Cross Keys lose because the region have re-called these two vital players. Newport Gwent Dragons also lose but retain 13th place in the table and everyone goes home unhappy. where is the incentive for the supporters who have lived all their lives supporting Newport R.F.C. Bedwas or Cross Keys to buy season tickets? And please do not try to tell me that watching a Newport Gwent Dragons side aspiring to eighth or ninth in there table is value for money or even entertainment, then losing anybody half was decent to the other regions or French or English sides because that won't wash either.

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SizzlerTrainers says...
11:36am Mon 16 Jul 12

So what's your answer then? I buy a Season ticket every year for my son and myself, go to quite a few Newport RFC matches, and the occasional Cross Keys match, surely (as a rugby supporter) turning up helps?

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Euwan Usami says...
12:38pm Mon 16 Jul 12

No disrespect meant to Stuart but this is the price paid for regional rugby. The regional sides suffer in the same way when international duty comes around also. I would remind him that the regions also lend players out when the town sides need help also; as with Cross Keys attempt at the B&I cup last season. Being bitter about The Dragons taking your best

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Euwan Usami says...
12:47pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Pressed enter by mistake! Lol...was gonna say to be bitter about the dragons "stealing" players is missing the point of the regional system really. The premiership is now a training ground for regional players. Hard to accept for long term supporters of the original system of course but true all the same. I buy a dragons and Newport rfc season ticket every year and enjoy the experience regardless. It will take a lot longer to win people over I know and there may be casualties aling the way but there is no way back now. The difficult bit is changing the regional set up to make people feel part of it rather than feeling left out because the Dragons are really just Newport by another name. A lot more to do on that front for sure.

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b3talover says...
12:54pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Instead of moaning about the same old thing, why not wish these academy boys a bit of luck for the coming season? The article is about them, not the regional v club moaners. Save that for the pub.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
2:27pm Mon 16 Jul 12

B3talover is absolutely right, every level of Gwent rugby is a training and testing ground for future Dragons players and hopefully future Wales Internationals. The number of players who make the grade depends on those who can playing and improving. The whole structure is designed to achieve that goal. The article in question seemed to be to be about the Bedwas commitment to work to that end as Cross Keys and Newport have done for a number f years by producing players like Lloyd Burns, Toby Falatow and Dan Lydiate. I hope that true rugby supporters continue to follow thier local clubs, the premiership clubs and the Dragons in the overall process of creating a strong and successful National side.

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dalesman1666 says...
3:15pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Robert Shillabeer wrote:
B3talover is absolutely right, every level of Gwent rugby is a training and testing ground for future Dragons players and hopefully future Wales Internationals. The number of players who make the grade depends on those who can playing and improving. The whole structure is designed to achieve that goal. The article in question seemed to be to be about the Bedwas commitment to work to that end as Cross Keys and Newport have done for a number f years by producing players like Lloyd Burns, Toby Falatow and Dan Lydiate. I hope that true rugby supporters continue to follow thier local clubs, the premiership clubs and the Dragons in the overall process of creating a strong and successful National side.
Well of course you would say that being a dragons supporter you are on the receiving end of gaining players that other clubs coaches have invested in, Then just take them at will. And what are you giving back to these clubs who have invested so much time into these players, zero. All take and no give comes to mind. Many clubs are sick of the whole consept. Has it ever occured to you that some players are happy at there clubs ?. It is pssible you know.If you take your blinkers off you may see some lol.

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davidjohnedwards says...
8:03pm Mon 16 Jul 12

I think a lot of you have got this backwards here. If it wasn't for regional rugby then some of the teams in the "Region" wouldn't even have access to such players. Don't get me wrong. Haven't followed this dragons stuff for many years. Not interested. However, it's ironic that people following teams other than Newport are complaining. There is only one team that has lost out in this new system and that's Newport. Other teams such as X-Keys and Bedwas have gained dramatically from this new and flawed system.

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Tak523SC says...
8:28pm Mon 16 Jul 12

davidjohnedwards wrote:
I think a lot of you have got this backwards here. If it wasn't for regional rugby then some of the teams in the "Region" wouldn't even have access to such players. Don't get me wrong. Haven't followed this dragons stuff for many years. Not interested. However, it's ironic that people following teams other than Newport are complaining. There is only one team that has lost out in this new system and that's Newport. Other teams such as X-Keys and Bedwas have gained dramatically from this new and flawed system.
Sorry to contradict you David...not meant to be personal here...but the only club that really lost out in this new system is Pontypool. The WRU have, as I said in prior posts, acted disgracefully. Regional Rugby is never going to succeed. Just because Wales win a couple of matches we feel that we've arrived ! When we play New Zealand, South Africa and Australia and absolutely play them off the park, then I'll come on here and totally take back all I said and apologise to the WRU. I will acknowledge their plan was a winner. However, I know I'll never have to.

Credit goes to Pontypool for now trying to get through this next season having lost most of their squad.

At least they've got their dignity and self respect.

They have stood up for grass roots rugby and all those ' incredibly valued regional feeder clubs '. ;)

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Euwan Usami says...
10:11pm Mon 16 Jul 12

dalesman1666 wrote:
Robert Shillabeer wrote:
B3talover is absolutely right, every level of Gwent rugby is a training and testing ground for future Dragons players and hopefully future Wales Internationals. The number of players who make the grade depends on those who can playing and improving. The whole structure is designed to achieve that goal. The article in question seemed to be to be about the Bedwas commitment to work to that end as Cross Keys and Newport have done for a number f years by producing players like Lloyd Burns, Toby Falatow and Dan Lydiate. I hope that true rugby supporters continue to follow thier local clubs, the premiership clubs and the Dragons in the overall process of creating a strong and successful National side.
Well of course you would say that being a dragons supporter you are on the receiving end of gaining players that other clubs coaches have invested in, Then just take them at will. And what are you giving back to these clubs who have invested so much time into these players, zero. All take and no give comes to mind. Many clubs are sick of the whole consept. Has it ever occured to you that some players are happy at there clubs ?. It is pssible you know.If you take your blinkers off you may see some lol.
Are you really suggesting players are being forced to play for their region against their will? You think players would rather stay semi pro rather than playing pro12 and have a shot at playing for Wales? That's a new one on me I have to say. All players worth thier salt want to progress and the Dragons lose them to the Ospreys and France and anywhere else that offers them a brighter future. Only supporters want them to stay at their clubs. Keep saying it but regional rugby is here to stay. I follow Newport RFC and admit its a little weird to think of them as a development squad rather than an independent team but that's how it is.

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gwentexiles says...
11:17pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Bedwas and Cross keys haven't got any supporters anyway so all the incentive in the world isn't going to change that, look at the success keys had last year and they still got one man and his dog! The gwent region is a small triangle from newport, Keys and Bedwas! How narrow minded of the WRU and the Dragons, I'd have to say plain stupid!

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gwentexiles says...
11:29pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Just in case people didn't realise, it was Pontypool who converted Lloyd Burns to hooker from flanker and then keys poached him! The majority of players Keys and Newport have so called developed are just talent that have been poached from other clubs but they were already destined to be top players, give where its due!

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Mr Stuart Parry says...
4:34pm Tue 17 Jul 12

So everyone who does not tow the "Dragons" line is a moaner, constructive critisim formally banned by b3talover and the WRU, end of story, right? Let's see how many more Dragon leave for richer clubs before the eureka moment strikes there supporters. If you say the Premier clubs are the breeding ground for the Dragons, how do you really feel about the Dragons being the breeding ground for the rest of Welsh rugby? All of you Dragons supporters on here be honest and tell me, or better still your board of directors how you feel about being a "development region"?

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fedup fred says...
7:11pm Tue 17 Jul 12

All dragons knockers who only support newport should remember that if it was not for the dragons there would be houses on rodney parade not a new stand on the subject of a failing team newport are the worst side that i have seen at rodney in nearly 60 years of rugby at RP dont ever think that the 5000 plus crowd would return to watch newport i rest my case.

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fedup fred says...
7:12pm Tue 17 Jul 12

All dragons knockers who only support newport should remember that if it was not for the dragons there would be houses on rodney parade not a new stand on the subject of a failing team newport are the worst side that i have seen at rodney in nearly 60 years of rugby at RP dont ever think that the 5000 plus crowd would return to watch newport i rest my case.

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mrcelt says...
1:49am Sat 28 Jul 12

gwentexiles states:
"Just in case people didn't realise, it was Pontypool who converted Lloyd Burns to hooker from flanker and then keys poached him! The majority of players Keys and Newport have so called developed are just talent that have been poached from other clubs but they were already destined to be top players, give where its due"
I think, gwentexile, you will find most of Cross Keys' players who have signed from other clubs & have brought them success, have struggled to gain regular rugby with other clubs. Eg Jevon Groves-released by Cardiff Blues, Phil Williams-Glam Wands 2nd XV, Kristian Baller/Dean Gunter released by Pontypridd, Leon Andrews-released by Cardiff Blues, Richard Cornock-Limited game time at Cardiff, ditto Marc Popham at Swansea, ditto Rhys Dyer at Cardiff, the list goes on. Something is right at Keys because "poached players" only sign for another club if they are suitably impressed with that club and they are unsettled at their current club. From what i hear, Keys are run on a very small playing budget, so money isn't the big carrot!!

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