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Dragons

Founded	2003
Location	Newport, Wales
Ground(s)	Rodney Parade (Capacity: 8,700)
Chairman	David Buttress
Coach(es)	Ceri Jones
Captain(s)	Cory Hill
Most caps	Lewis Evans (220)
Top scorer	Jason Tovey (974)
Most tries	Aled Brew (43)
League(s)	Pro14
2017-18	6th(Conference B)
Team kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.dragonsrugby.wales

Dragons (Welsh: Dreigiau) are one of the four professional rugby union regional teams in Wales. They are owned by the Welsh Rugby Union and play their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport and at other grounds around the region. They play in the Pro14 league, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the European Rugby Champions Cup/European Rugby Challenge Cup. The region they represent covers an area of southeast Wales including Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen with a total population approaching 600,000 and they are affiliated with a number of semi-professional and amateur clubs throughout the area, including Welsh Premier Division sides Bedwas RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Newport RFC.^[1]

Formed in 2003 as a result of the introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales, the team started life with a third-place finish in the 2003–04 Celtic League, and finished fourth the next season; however, the team finished in the bottom three in each of the next four seasons. In 2007, they reached the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup, losing to French side ASM Clermont Auvergne 46–29. In 2011, they reached the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, losing to Gloucester. They are yet to make the knock-out stage of the European Rugby Champions Cup.

History

Formation

The regional team were formed on 1 April 2003, following an agreement between Ebbw Vale RFC and Newport RFC to form one of five regional rugby entities.^[2] Fundamental disagreements between the clubs^[3] saw a period of arbitration, led by the then Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett, which recommended the name "Gwent Dragons". On 28 July the side was launched under that name.^[4] This prompted Newport RFC benefactor Tony Brown of Bisley, Surrey to withdraw his financial support for the region. However, by 21 August Brown returned after Ebbw Vale chairman Marcus Russell resigned and the side's name was changed to "Newport and Gwent Dragons".^[5] With the Welsh Rugby Union demanding an explanation for the changes, and acrimony between the two clubs^[6] another agreement was struck:^[7] the side officially became ‘Newport Gwent Dragons’. On 12 November 2003, the region's founding company Gwent Rugby Ltd entered into
administration.^[8] On 27 November a new company, Dragons Rugby Ltd., was established to run the region, with Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union each holding a 50% stake.^[9]

2003–2005: Infancy

This is the logo used by the regional team between 2003 and 2017.

Under Mike Ruddock and his assistant Clive Griffiths Newport Gwent Dragons, with a squad largely drawn from the Newport RFC and Ebbw Vale RFC sides of the preceding year, beat their limited pre-season expectations. Despite starting their life in top-class rugby with a 35–11 defeat away to Llanelli Scarlets, it was the region's most successful season so far. A 29–19 win over the Ospreys was to prove more telling; captained by Andy Marinos the side remained unbeaten at home in the Celtic League and eliminated Stade Français^[10] in the Heineken Cup. Going into the final round with an outside chance of taking the title, the Dragons finished third in the Celtic League^[11]WRU bosses were impressed enough to appoint Ruddock to the vacant Welsh coaching job in summer 2004.^[12] Ruddock rewarded two of his former Dragons players, Hal Luscombe and Jason Forster, with their first test caps on Wales' summer tour of Argentina. Percy Montgomery also impressed Springbok selectors enough to remind them of his international credentials, and earn a Tri Nations recall.

The following off season saw a marked change in direction. Gareth Cooper, Kevin Morgan and Ceri Sweeney were amongst a handful of players who joined the region when the Celtic Warriors were disbanded. Having originally agreed to replace Mike Ruddock as head coach, Declan Kidney decided instead to seek employment back home with Leinster. It was not until 27 July 2004 that former Australian Rugby League coach Chris Anderson was appointed, with Leigh Jones as his assistant. Another credible Celtic League campaign followed, finishing fourth,^[11] the second highest Welsh region. The side's Heineken Cup could be viewed as a wasted opportunity: the team beat French side Perpignan 27–14 at home, but were then beaten home and away by Newcastle Falcons to put paid to any quarter-final ambitions. Chris Anderson's contract was not extended beyond its initial one-year duration.^[13]

2005–2011 Paul Turner era

The region looked to Harlequins backs coach Paul Turner, a Welshman, as their new head coach.^[14] Turner would also have to contend with Percy Montgomery returning to South Africa ^[15] and Newport RFC stalwart Rod Snow retiring.^[16]Munster and Sale Sharks proved too strong in the 2005–06 Heineken Cup. After finishing 8th in the Celtic League, a 24–15 defeat^[17]Overmach Parma in a play-off for a place in the following seasons Heineken cup proved a new low for the region. Anglo-Welsh Cup wins over Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints were the highlights of a tough season. Turner remained, but Wales international Hal Luscombe opted for a move away from the region, joining English Premiership side Harlequins.^[18]

Former Wales captain Colin Charvis joined ahead of the 2006–07 season with the Dragons progressed into a European Challenge Cup semi-final, where they lost comfortably to ASM Clermont Auvergne. Domestically though, the region's European exploits appeared to take their toll, finishing ninth in the Celtic League. Significantly the region avoided the prospect of a second season away from the Heineken Cup, defeating another Italian side Calvisano 22–15.^[19] The match also marked the end for departing Wales internationals Ian Gough and Gareth Cooper at Rodney Parade.

2007–08 proved to be another difficult season for the region. Signings such as scrum-half Andy Williams and flanker Richard Parks were not able to help reverse the side's fortunes. The Dragons 2007–08 Heineken Cup campaign only saw one win against Italian side Treviso and exiting the Anglo-Welsh Cup in the pool stages for a third year running. Between completing a double over Llanelli Scarlets on 1 January^[20] to defeating the Ospreys on 6 May,^[21] the Dragons failed to win a Celtic League game. Despite finishing as the lowest-placed Welsh side in the league^[22] the region qualified for next season's Heineken Cup, without having to play off against Italian opposition due to a failure by the Italian League to finish before a specified date.^[23]

The summer of 2008 marked a change in the Dragons recruitment policy to a more antipodean focus.^[24] Several new signings included New Zealander Tom Willis who was also appointed captain.^[25] The 2008–09 Heineken Cup saw visible signs of encouragement for the region. An opening round defeat of Glasgow at Rodney Parade and two respectable defeats to French giants Toulouse, sandwiched between narrow losses against Bath offered hope of arresting decline at Rodney Parade. Domestically in the Celtic League it was a case of same old as consecutive defeats in rearranged matches away at Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys ended any hopes of avoiding finishing as the lowest placed Welsh region and another Heineken Cup play off against Italian opposition. In record appearance holder Adam Black's final game for the side, the Dragons ran out comfortable winners away to Calvisano^[26] to secure their place in European rugby's premier tournament for a third season running.

The 2009–10 season brought about significant improvements in results, with the Dragons remaining unbeaten at Rodney Parade in the Celtic League until their final home match, a 20–14 loss to Cardiff Blues.^[27] Defeat also brought about the end of the Dragons bid to qualify for the inaugural Celtic League play offs. An improved seventh-place finish did, however, mean automatic qualification for the Heineken cup as the third highest finishing Welsh region. Despite coming close to defeating Gloucester away at Kingsholm and a win at home against Glasgow, back to back losses at Biarritz put pay to the Dragons chances of progressing past the group stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time.

2011 Onwards

Turner stepped down as Head Coach in February 2011 with Darren Edwards taking over in a caretaker capacity.^[28] In March 2011 Edwards led the Dragons to their first Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final, where they lost to Gloucester. In April 2011 Edwards was appointed Head Coach on a full-time basis. Lyn Jones was appointed to the role of Director of Rugby in 2013 taking over a lot of on field responsibilities.^[29] He brought with him then Russia Head Coach Kingsley Jones who worked with him as a consultant at London Welsh.^[30] Edwards left the Dragons in February 2014^[31] while in June Kingsley Jones was promoted to the role of head coach.^[32]

In March 2017, following a vote of Newport RFC Shareholders, the Welsh Rugby Union agreed to take over the Newport Gwent Dragons in its entirety as part of a deal that also saw the WRU take ownership of the Rodney Parade ground.^[33]

On 20 June 2017 it was announced that following the takeover of the region by the WRU, the region would be dropping "Newport" and "Gwent" from its name with immediate effect, becoming known simply as "Dragons".^[34]

Controversy

The naming of the region's team caused considerable turbulence.^[35] Newport Gwent Dragons were a new side created out of the restructuring of Welsh rugby, and represent their designated region, like the Cardiff Blues, the Scarlets and the Ospreys. Some in the Welsh rugby world, such as Bobby Windsor, believed that including the name Newport would alienate some fans in the surrounding valleys.^[36] Many supporters in the wider Newport area favoured greater identification with the City of Newport and a continuation of the historic traditions of Newport RFC.^[37] Several names were suggested but all were rejected by the WRU. In the end, the WRU decided the region would be called the Gwent Dragons. However, initial response to the new region was mixed, with many fans unsure whether to buy a season ticket for the new side or to stick to their local clubs.^[38] The company set up to run the side entered administration before a game had been played, and as a compromise the word "Newport" was added to the team name in a double-sized font, whilst "Gwent" was reduced. This addition and choice of kit added a greater Newport emphasis to the region and polarised the regions' fan base: some supporters of Ebbw Vale, Pontypool, Cross Keys and Newbridge turned their backs on the regional side, claiming that Gwent was no longer being equally represented.^[39] This debate continued, with the Dragons being accused of favouritism towards their Newport feeder club rather than the other feeder clubs.^[40]

The Newport Action Group, among others, claimed the side has lost more supporters by including the name "Gwent" in its title. The crowds supporting Newport Gwent Dragons averaged 5,154 for the 2005–06 season,^[41] whereas in the 2002-03 season, Newport RFC was Wales' best supported club and British rugby's fourth best with an average attendance of 8,302 – behind English Premiership clubs Leicester, Gloucester and Northampton.^[42] Although controversy surrounding the naming of the region might be considered petty, rugby in South Wales is deeply divided among hundreds of historic rugby clubs with bitter rivalries. In the 2006–07 season, attendance averaged 5,629 at Rodney Parade.

Kit

The kit is supplied by VX3. On the front of the shirt, Monmouthshire Building Society

Home ground

The region's ground is the 8,700 capacity Rodney Parade ground in Newport, where they play the majority of their home games. Games are occasionally hosted at other grounds in Gwent, such as Pontypool Park^[43] or Pandy Park (home of Cross Keys RFC)^[44]. These are usually pre-season or other fixtures, however occasionally league games are taken elsewhere such as in 2017 when a game against local rivals Cardiff Blues was hosted at the Constructaquote Stadium (formerly Virginia Park), home of Caerphilly RFC, due to a fixture clash with Newport County AFC^[45]; and during the 2017/18 season when the Dragons hosted a Pro14 game against Edinburgh Rugby in Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale^[46].

As a part of Judgement Day, each season a home game against a rival Welsh rugby region is hosted at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

In preparation for the 2014–15 season the Newport Gwent Dragons agreed a partnership with Caerphilly County Borough Council for the team and coaching staff to use the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence as the new training base for the 1st team and all other age grade structures within the region.^[47] The small stadium at the centre hosts the home matches of the Dragons U23 side, which competes in the Celtic Cup.

Current Pro14 Table

2017–18 Pro14 Tables view · watch · edit · discuss
Conference A
	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TBP	LBP	PTS
1	Glasgow Warriors (SF)	21	15	1	5	614	366	+248	81	38	12	2	76
2	Munster (SF)	21	13	1	7	568	361	+207	78	42	10	5	69
3	Cheetahs (QF)	21	12	0	9	609	554	+55	75	68	10	5	63
4	Cardiff Blues	21	11	0	10	502	482	+20	56	59	5	5	54
5	Ospreys	21	9	0	12	390	487	−97	44	60	5	3	44
6	Connacht	21	7	0	14	445	477	−32	53	54	5	6	39
7	Zebre	21	7	0	14	408	593	–185	50	78	4	4	36
Conference B
	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TBP	LBP	PTS
1	Leinster (CH)	21	14	1	6	601	374	+227	83	46	10	2	70
2	Scarlets (RU)	21	14	1	6	528	365	+163	69	43	9	3	70
3	Edinburgh (QF)	21	15	0	6	494	375	+119	62	44	7	1	68
4	Ulster (PO)	21	12	2	7	538	482	+56	68	61	8	2	62
5	Benetton	21	11	0	10	415	451	−36	51	55	6	5	55
6	Dragons	21	2	2	17	378	672	−294	43	94	4	4	20
7	Southern Kings	21	1	0	20	378	829	−451	48	119	4	3	11
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[48] number of matches won the difference between points for and points against the number of tries scored the most points scored the difference between tries for and tries against the fewest red cards received the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams that competed in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup (excluding South African teams who are ineligible) Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Champions Cup, including the winner of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference Yellow background indicates the loser of the play-off between the two fourth-ranked European teams in each conference, that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup. Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup. (CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners.

Current squad

The Dragons squad for 2018–19 is:^[49]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union Elliot Dee Hooker Wales Gerard Ellis Hooker Wales Richard Hibbard Hooker Wales Rhys Lawrence Hooker Wales Ryan Bevington Prop Wales Leon Brown Prop Wales Lloyd Fairbrother* Prop England Brok Harris* Prop South Africa Aaron Jarvis Prop Wales Dan Suter Prop Wales Joe Davies Lock Wales Cory Hill Lock Wales Rynard Landman* Lock South Africa Brandon Nansen Lock Samoa Matthew Screech Lock Wales James Benjamin Back row Wales Nic Cudd Back row Wales Lewis Evans Back row Wales Ollie Griffiths Back row Wales Harrison Keddie Back row Wales Ross Moriarty Back row Wales James Sheekey Back row Wales Huw Taylor* Back row England Aaron Wainwright Back row Wales

Player Position Union Rhodri Davies Scrum-half Wales Tavis Knoyle Scrum-half Wales Rhodri Williams Scrum-half Wales Jacob Botica* Fly-half New Zealand Gavin Henson Fly-half Wales Josh Lewis Fly-half Wales Arwel Robson Fly-half Wales Jason Tovey Fly-half Wales Jack Dixon Centre Wales Tiaan Loots* Centre South Africa Tyler Morgan Centre Wales Jarryd Sage* Centre South Africa Adam Warren Centre Wales George Gasson Wing Wales Ashton Hewitt Wing Wales Dafydd Howells Wing Wales Jared Rosser Wing Wales Hallam Amos ‡ Fullback Wales Zane Kirchner Fullback South Africa Jordan Williams Fullback Wales

• ‡ Denotes a player on a WRU 'National Dual Contract'.


• * Denotes a player who is Welsh qualified.


• Notes:

U23 Squad

The U23 Squad for 2018-19 is:^[50]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union William Griffiths Hooker Wales Zac Hewlett Hooker Wales Christian Coleman Prop Wales Scott Evans Prop Wales Taylor Hansen Prop Wales Josh Reynolds* Prop Australia Luke Yendle Prop Wales Ed Scragg Lock Wales Max Williams Lock Wales Taine Basham Back row Wales Robert Brookson Back row Wales Benjamin Fry Back row Wales Lennon Greggains Back row Wales Garin Price Back row Wales

Player Position Union Dan Babos Scrum-half Wales Dafydd Buckland Scrum-half Wales Llew Smith Scrum-half Wales Will Kelly* Fly-half Canada Connor Edwards Centre Wales Tom Hoppe Centre Wales Evan Lloyd Centre Wales Aneurin Owen Centre Wales Duan Thomas Centre Wales Alexi Webb Centre Wales Calvin Wellington Centre Wales Rio Dyer Wing Wales Joe Goodchild Wing Wales David Richards Wing Wales Carwyn Penny Fullback Wales Deon Smith Fullback Wales Will Talbot-Davies Fullback Wales

Notable players

Michael Owen captained Wales in 2005–06 and he led Wales to their first Grand Slam for 27-years in the 2005 Six Nations Championship.

Lewis Evans has made over 200 appearances for the Dragons. Adam Black, Jamie Ringer, Peter Sidoli, Gareth Wyatt, Steve Jones, Luke Charteris, Wayne Evans, Aled Brew, Ashley Smith, Adam Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Jason Tovey, Robert Sidoli, Phil Price, Adam Hughes, Nic Cudd, Rynard Landman and Matthew Screech have made over one hundred Dragons appearances. Prop Adam Black became the first centurion in Dragons colours during the 2006–07 season.

Several former players have been capped by the Wales national rugby union team while with the region; props Chris Anthony and Rhys M. Thomas, hookers Steve Jones and Lloyd Burns, second rows Ian Gough, Luke Charteris and Andrew Coombs, flankers Jason Forster, Richard Parks, Jamie Ringer, Gavin Thomas and Dan Lydiate, number eight Michael Owen, Rhys Oakley and Taulupe Faletau, scrum halves Gareth Cooper and Andy Williams, outside half Ceri Sweeney, centre Andy Marinos, wingers Gareth Wyatt, Hal Luscombe, Aled Brew, Will Harries, Tom Prydie and fullback Kevin Morgan. Percy Montgomery, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Rod Snow, Mike Hercus, Mike Petri and James Arlidge played internationally for their respective countries whilst with the region.

Of the current players Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan, Cory Hill, Ollie Griffiths, Leon Brown, Elliot Dee and Aaron Wainwright have featured in Wales test matches whilst with the region. Tavis Knoyle, Gavin Henson, Adam Warren, Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Aaron Jarvis, Ross Moriarty, Rhodri Williams and Dafydd Howells attained Wales international caps before joining the Dragons, as did Zane Kirchner for South Africa and Brandon Nansen for Samoa.

British and Irish Lions

The following players have been selected to play for the British and Irish Lions touring squads while playing for the Dragons.

Player	Home Union	Tours
Michael Owen	Wales	2005 New Zealand
Gareth Cooper	Wales	2005 New Zealand
Dan Lydiate	Wales	2013 Australia
Taulupe Faletau	Wales	2013 Australia
Cory Hill	Wales	2017 New Zealand

Head Coach

Name	Nationality	Years
Mike Ruddock		2003–2004
Declan Kidney		2004
Chris Anderson		2004–2005
Paul Turner		2005–2011
Darren Edwards		2011–2014
Lyn Jones		2014
Kingsley Jones		2014-2017
Bernard Jackman		2017-

Results and statistics

Celtic League / Pro12 / Pro14

Celtic Cup

Heineken Cup / European Rugby Champions Cup

European Challenge Cup / European Rugby Challenge Cup

Anglo-Welsh Cup

References

External links

• 
  Official website


• Bedwas RFC website


• Cross Keys RFC website


• Ebbw Vale RFC website


• Newport RFC website


• Pontypool RFC website