Dragons go back to basics

9:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Chris Kirwan

READY FOR BATTLE: Dragons skipper Lewis Evans READY FOR BATTLE: Dragons skipper Lewis Evans

GLASGOW v DRAGONS (Tonight, KO 7.30)

CAPTAIN Lewis Evans has admitted Newport Gwent Dragons have gone back to basics in a bid to snap out of their slump.

The Rodney Parade region will attempt to end a four-game losing streak when they take on in-form Glasgow this evening.

The Scottish side, who made the playoffs last season, sit third in the RaboDirect Pro12 table and are now chasing their sixth successive league victory.

The Dragons are at the other end of the table and have had a physical week of training following last Friday’s disheartening 46-19 home thumping at the hands of leaders Ulster.

And if they are to upset the form book at Scotstoun then it will be with no-frills rugby.

“We are just going to try and keep it simple and be as direct as possible,” said Evans, who returns at blindside flanker after missing the Ulster debacle with a groin injury.

“It would be nice to get the ball out wide for our strike runners but it’s all about creating that little bit of space for them – the cliché of earning the right to go wide.

“Rather than coming up with some fancy move it’s just got to be blunt, direct and simple.

“As forwards we understand the frustration that the backs are feeling; (outside centre) Adam Hughes said that he has only touched the ball in free motion seven times in three games.

“There has been a bit of confusion in our general attacking play, we’ve been trying to play when it’s not on and kicking when it is.

“We need to unleash these guys and it’s not rocket science: the aim has to be to win quick ball, put Glasgow on the back foot, make them commit more numbers in tight and free up space for our runners.

“This week we’ve gone back to basics and we have to toughen up physically and mentally. We have a simple game plan and now it’s up to us to stick to it.”

Glasgow are in great form in the Pro12 but are hit hard by Scotland call-ups, with 13 members of their squad on international duty this week.

Evans insists that the Dragons, who have only lost Toby Faletau to Wales, will not be thrown off guard by an unfamiliar Warriors side.

“To be honest it’s another cliché of concentrating on ourselves,” said the flanker.

“Tightening up our defence and improving at the contact area has been our aim and rather than being specific with Glasgow.

“It’s going to be a tough game regardless of who they have lost to Scotland and there has been a big emphasis on training hard this week.

“The rationale is to toughen us up and we’ve needed it to prepare for a dogged fight.”

Comments(20)

monkeytennisboy says...
11:32am Fri 2 Nov 12

Definite opportunity here to put real pressure on the blues, and ladbrokes 11/4 about us looks very tempting indeed.

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high x boy says...
12:12pm Fri 2 Nov 12

some points is a must.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
1:30pm Fri 2 Nov 12

High X boy of course points are a must to get non means at best a draw, some useful comments please.

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high x boy says...
4:01pm Fri 2 Nov 12

I mean league points,sorry.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
4:46pm Fri 2 Nov 12

high x boy wrote:
I mean league points,sorry.
Yes your right we do need to get more points and tonight is a very good opportunity to gain some ground on the Blues who have a very tough game tonight. A Dragons win would be most welcome but the bonus point is asking a bit much I think, but one lives in hope.

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the dork says...
5:05pm Fri 2 Nov 12

I think we are safe lads can't find it being televised anywhere (even Alba) so we don't have to squirm. Can't see Glasgow rolling over

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corpardguy says...
5:47pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Lets have a game plan that takes the game to the opposition rather than reacting to what they are doing please!

We can win this, the Glasgow squad is about as shallow as ours and ours have more game time together.
Good decision to keep Robbling out there, He is learning and needs all the game time we can give him. (Stephan can come out to play more next year).

We with the help of Prydies boot and Dans and Lewis' nouce, win this from break down and even scrum ball.
Go Dragons!!!

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speakoutnow says...
6:12pm Fri 2 Nov 12

A basic , simple game plan with direct driving play !!!
Sounds like the style we've been playing all season.
The investment in our flying winger looks skewed....should have agreed a pay per touch contract....we'd have saved a fortune!

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Robert Shillabeer says...
6:41pm Fri 2 Nov 12

high x boy wrote:
I mean league points,sorry.
Yes your right we do need to get more points and tonight is a very good opportunity to gain some ground on the Blues who have a very tough game tonight. A Dragons win would be most welcome but the bonus point is asking a bit much I think, but one lives in hope.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
6:45pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Sorry guys my computer was not refreshing and clicked the post button by accident. On another point does BBC2 not have a red button facility???

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Robert Shillabeer says...
7:59pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Dragons ten points down, two subs Evans off after 15 mins Sidoli off after 19 mins, picked up a couple of injuries by the look of it.

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monkeytennisboy says...
8:58pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Well there you have it, management of this shambles must go NOW, failing to be competitive against a team with 13 on international duty, plus both lamonts, van der mewe, and cusiter, plus 8 others on the injured list, shows how far this region has sunk, there is no hope or any light at the end of the tunnel, is it going to take the 50 or 60 point thrashings to push the boards hand or are they as incompetent as the coaching staff, its a complete disgrace and embarrassment.

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monkeytennisboy says...
9:10pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Rob,s. put a positive spin on this without being sectioned.

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CaptainB says...
9:26pm Fri 2 Nov 12

37 points to 6....

Five tries to Nil...

Goodbye Darren Edwards

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monkeytennisboy says...
9:31pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Thats right Beale, he did it his way all right, he destroyed a region, demoralised players and embarrassed supporters, how about a resignation, take yourself, DE, applecart, lawson, precious and gardner with you, because what they are analyzing clearly isnt rugby.

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Euwan Usami says...
9:33pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Pretty damming really. Against Glasgow 2nd/3rd string. Off the back of a 6 try thrashing at home.

Anyone wonder why it wasn't televised? Lol

The Blues almost turned it around today but the Dragons are making a habit of getting battered it seems.

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CaptainB says...
9:38pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Regrets...I've got a few,
but then again I've got my Pension...
R. Beale esq.

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Euwan Usami says...
9:45pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Getting some feedback from some that made the trip and it's not great. Poor performance it seems. (Maybe a little obvious I suppose)

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cdfdragon says...
11:00pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Shameful

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rlockett says...
12:01pm Sat 3 Nov 12

What were the basics of rugby that were employed? We obviously forgot those as well.

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