Don’t ask me how some awards get decided, it seems a lot of the time a tombola is used to decide who is worth getting an award… and the Magners League awards are no exception.
Ok that’s a tad harsh, a lot of the awards decided are worthy.  For example I may be biased as an Ospreys fan but Tommy Bowe has been so superb this season he is fully deserving of the players player of the year award.  But one that has confused me is that the Dragon;s boss Paul …

If you are a Newport Gwent Dragons fan, or if you have any interest in meeting their players anyway, then this Sunday is teh day for you.
The Dragons are having a ‘meet the players’ day at Motorpoint, where you can ask questions, meet your heroes (or villains) and help support charity – as all money raised on the day will go to Cycle Challenge Wales.
Unfortunately I am away all weekend camping (and no doubt getting soaked to the skin) so won’t make it – but for those who do I …

Nathan Brew Joins the Dragons
Again. Nathan Brew, 28, has again teamed up with his brother Aled at Rodney parade. The Newport Gwent Dragons have moved to secure his signing from Welsh Premiership side Neath in order to give themselves more strength in depth in the centre and wing positions.
A sensible precaution considering the injury problems they suffered in the centre last season, and the move of Richard Fussell, the talented winger, to the Ospreys.
Nathan Brew
Nathan had played for the Dragons for 7 seasons before leaving to join the …

So the Magners League fixtures have been announced – and yet again the Magners League underwhelms me.
This is a league that gets much derision for a number of reasons, for teams not taking it seriously, for a lack of fans, for a lack of interest. But yet again we see just how the Magners League address this issue – they do nothing and hope it works.
Now I do think the Guinness Premiership is an over rated league. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a number of things …

The Heineken Cup fixtures have been announced, and with all the Welsh regions taking part again this year (with the Scarlets thankful the Blues won the Amlin cup) all are looking forward to taking on the best that Europe has to offer.
The Ospreys have one hell of a start – away to Toulon, whilst the Blues have life a little easier at home to Edinburgh. The Dragons start away to Glasgow
Ospreys
Sat 9 Oct Toulon V Ospreys – 2.35pm – Stade Felix Mayol – Canal +
Fri 15 Oct …

And the winner of the poll question for which region will have the most successful season is – the Dragons!
Have to admit that I did not see that coming.  They achieved a narrow victory (of just  vote) over the Ospreys, with Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets tied for last place, well behind the top 2 regions.
Pretty much reflects the Magners league at the moment, though the Scarlets could point to their impressive Heineken cup results to suggest they could do something this season.
<h3>Final Votes</h3>
Dragons – 32 votes
Ospreys – 31 votes
Cardiff …

Following on from the earlier announcement of the Scarlets team for the Welsh rugby derby game – Llanelli Scarlets vs the Dragons, the Newport Gwent Dragons have also announced their side.
Dragons Captain and hooker Tom Willis returns to the side that features the likes of Welsh hopefuls Luke Charteris, Richard Fussel and Martyn Thomas. Jason Tovey has to make do with a place on the bench with Martyn Thomas as fullback and James Arlidge (the Kiwi Japanese) continuing at outside half.
Dragons team vs Scarlets
Martyn Thomas, Aled Brew, Tom Riley, …

The Scarlets have named their team to take on the Newport-Gwent Dragons this weekend.  No major surprises in the squad with Dafydd Jones continuing at openside flanker as one of the many players with Welsh hopes ahead of the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named on Sunday.
Other players with Welsh rugby hopes include Martyn Roberts the scrum half, who with Mike Phillips injured, Dwayne Peel potentially unavailable for the New Zealand game and the poor form of Gareth Cooper must certainly be in the thoughts of the Welsh …

Matthew Watkins joins Newport Gwent Dragons
A hugely Earth shattering bit of news this. For Dragons fans.
Sorry but I have to say I am far from a Matthew Watkins fan. Fine as a back up for injuries or to cover smaller games but with all the movement that the Dragons have seen in the centre (including Stretch retiring) that leaves Matthew Watkins and Rhodri Gomer-Davies as their first choice partnership.
Gareth George on twitter sums it up with this eloquent quote
NOOOOOOOOOO GUTTED
He is, in case you couldn’t guess, a Newport-Gwent …

It’s true, Welsh and Worcester center Hal Luscombe has decided to retire from rugby with immediate effect.
Now I will admit I was never a fan of Hal Luscombe for Wales – he was never an international class winger and it could be debated if he was a center of that class to be honest.  But he was always an honest, hard working player who did have his moments – being part of the 2005 grand slam winning side for one!
But at regional level Hal Luscombe was a great servent for …