It has been a season to forget for the Dragons.
The Welsh club finished bottom of the table in the URC. There is no doubt they will want to put this season behind them. However, there looks to be a new era on the horizon.
They’ve shown signs of progress, and now they’ll look to convert that into results, bolstered by a wave of fresh signings ready to make an impact.
The players the side has brought in should provide a much-needed boost.
There is a sense of excitement that the Rodney Parade faithful could be rewarded next season.
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A disappointing season
In a season where we have seen relative improvement from the Welsh clubs, the Dragons have been adrift.
Whilst Scarlets, Cardiff Rugby, and Ospreys were in the hunt for play-off positions, Filo Tiatia’s team only gained nine points, showing how far they were off the pace.
The gap to Zebre Parma, in particular, is concerning.
This season, the Dragons finished 20 points behind the Italian outfit. However, they’ve led the way against Zebre in recent seasons.
This year has tested them, as keeping pace has proved more difficult. You can see the team’s struggle when looking at the statistics.
With low metre gains and limited scoring, the Dragons have stalled this season. The team scored only 335 points and gained just 5,513 metres over the season.
Discipline has further hindered progress, with a league-high 211 penalties conceded.
However, there are positive signs to build on, such as their defensive efforts and their ability to break through opposing lines, showing they have something to build on.
Positives to build on
On a crisp September afternoon, a derby kicked off the Dragons’ campaign. Ospreys came to Rodney Parade, looking to build on a positive 2023/24.
Yet, the Dragons, with their backs against the wall, stifled their counterparts and secured a dramatic last-minute victory.
Hope stirred in the stands as the Dragons celebrated their first opening victory in a decade. The side’s unwavering resilience was on full display as they fought to the end, and Luke Yendle crossed the whitewash in the 84th minute to claim victory.
This display of resilience, even in the face of adversity, is a positive sign for the future.
They have shown flashes of brilliance this season and a real ability to cut defences apart. Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson, and Brodie Coghlan are among the promising young talents within the squad.
The Dragons lost several closely contested matches throughout the season, but they have struggled to get over the line.
However, with the new players coming in, they should get that injection of experience to help them cross the line.
This potential for growth and improvement is a reason for optimism among the Dragons’ faithful.
New signings and the season ahead
The forward pack is where they have truly brought in star power. Dillon Lewis, a seasoned Welsh international, Wyn Jones, a powerful scrummager, and Levi Douglas, a versatile lock, will be joining the club.
Along with this, they have signed Cardiff trio Thomas Young, a dynamic back-rower, Seb Davies, a promising lock, and Tinus de Beer, a reliable fly-half.
The Dragons added firepower with Tongan internationals Fine Inisi and Fetuli Paea, as well as a spark for the future in Harry Beddall, a promising young talent—a name that could soon echo across Welsh rugby.
The likes of Taine Basham, Dan Lydiate, and Dane Blacker will say goodbye to the club. There is a sense that with the new additions, the Dragons can kick on next season.
Their support is fierce, loyal, and deeply committed. If the Dragons can turn the corner next season, it won’t just be a revival—it will be a roar echoing across Welsh rugby.
The Dragons’ loyal fanbase, who have stood by the team through thick and thin, will be a crucial part of this journey.
Their steadfast support is deeply appreciated and will be instrumental in the Dragons’ future success.
By Pete Ryan
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