Dragons (rugby union)

Dragons
Founded 2003
Location Newport, Wales
Ground(s) Rodney Parade (Capacity: 8,700)
Chairman David Buttress
Coach(es) Bernard Jackman
Captain(s) Cory Hill
Most caps Lewis Evans (211)
Top scorer Jason Tovey (384)
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 Gilbert. On the front of the shirt, BT Sport is at the centre with Bisley at the top. Building Management Solutions with its website bmssw.com and Taymore appear on their left sleeve while Rugby Heaven with its website below www.rugby-heaven.co.uk appear on the right sleeve while Robert Price appear on the left and right of their front collar. On the back of the shirt, Worthington's and Shadow Scaffolding are at the top while Clarity Copiers is on the bottom. Hicks transport appear on the left of their back shorts while Gap personnel appear on the right of their back shorts.

Home ground

The region's ground is the 8,700 capacity Rodney Parade ground in Newport. An agreement is in place between owners Rodney Parade Limited and the region for all regular season games to be played there.[43] The side also played some pre-season games at Pontypool Park[44] and Pandy Park, Cross Keys RFC[45] but these venues have not been used since a game against a Gwent Premiership XV before the 2006–07 season. 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.[46]

Current Pro14 Table

2017–18 Pro14 Tables
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1Scotland Glasgow Warriors (SF) 211515614366+248813812276
2Ireland Munster (SF) 211317568361+207784210569
3South Africa Cheetahs (QF) 211209609554+55756810563
4Wales Cardiff Blues 2111010502482+2056595554
5Wales Ospreys 219012390487−9744605344
6Ireland Connacht 217014445477−3253545639
7Italy Zebre 217014408593–18550784436
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1Ireland Leinster (CH) 211416601374+227834610270
2Wales Scarlets (RU) 211416528365+16369439370
3Scotland Edinburgh (QF) 211506494375+11962447168
4Ireland Ulster (PO) 211227538482+5668618262
5Italy Benetton 2111010415451−3651556555
6Wales Dragons 212217378672−29443944420
7South Africa Southern Kings 211020378829−451481194311
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[47]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. 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:[48]

    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 Wales
    Gerard Ellis Hooker Wales Wales
    Richard Hibbard Hooker Wales Wales
    Rhys Lawrence Hooker Wales Wales
    Ryan Bevington Prop Wales Wales
    Leon Brown Prop Wales Wales
    Lloyd Fairbrother* Prop England England
    Brok Harris* Prop South Africa South Africa
    Aaron Jarvis Prop Wales Wales
    Dan Suter Prop Wales Wales
    Joe Davies Lock Wales Wales
    Cory Hill Lock Wales Wales
    Rynard Landman* Lock South Africa South Africa
    Brandon Nansen Lock Samoa Samoa
    Matthew Screech Lock Wales Wales
    James Benjamin Back row Wales Wales
    Nic Cudd Back row Wales Wales
    Lewis Evans Back row Wales Wales
    Ollie Griffiths Back row Wales Wales
    Harrison Keddie Back row Wales Wales
    Ross Moriarty Back row Wales Wales
    James Sheekey Back row Wales Wales
    Huw Taylor* Back row England England
    James Thomas Back row Wales Wales
    Aaron Wainwright Back row Wales Wales
    Player Position Union
    Rhodri Davies Scrum-half Wales Wales
    Tavis Knoyle Scrum-half Wales Wales
    Rhodri Williams Scrum-half Wales Wales
    Jacob Botica* Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
    Gavin Henson Fly-half Wales Wales
    Josh Lewis Fly-half Wales Wales
    Arwel Robson Fly-half Wales Wales
    Jack Dixon Centre Wales Wales
    Tiaan Loots* Centre South Africa South Africa
    Tyler Morgan Centre Wales Wales
    Jarryd Sage* Centre South Africa South Africa
    Adam Warren Centre Wales Wales
    George Gasson Wing Wales Wales
    Ashton Hewitt Wing Wales Wales
    Dafydd Howells Wing Wales Wales
    Jared Rosser Wing Wales Wales
    Hallam Amos ‡ Fullback Wales Wales
    Jordan Williams Fullback Wales 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:[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
      William Griffiths Hooker Wales Wales
      Zac Hewlett Hooker Wales Wales
      Christian Coleman Prop Wales Wales
      Scott Evans Prop Wales Wales
      Taylor Hansen Prop Wales Wales
      Josh Reynolds* Prop Australia Australia
      Luke Yendle Prop Wales Wales
      Ed Scragg Lock Wales Wales
      Max Williams Lock Wales Wales
      Taine Basham Back row Wales Wales
      Robert Brookson Back row Wales Wales
      Benjamin Fry Back row Wales Wales
      Lennon Greggains Back row Wales Wales
      Garin Price Back row Wales Wales
      Player Position Union
      Dan Babos Scrum-half Wales Wales
      Dafydd Buckland Scrum-half Wales Wales
      Llew Smith Scrum-half Wales Wales
      Will Kelly* Fly-half Canada Canada
      Connor Edwards Centre Wales Wales
      Tom Hoppe Centre Wales Wales
      Evan Lloyd Centre Wales Wales
      Aneurin Owen Centre Wales Wales
      Duan Thomas Centre Wales Wales
      Alexi Webb Centre Wales Wales
      Calvin Wellington Centre Wales Wales
      Rio Dyer Wing Wales Wales
      Joe Goodchild Wing Wales Wales
      David Richards Wing Wales Wales
      Carwyn Penny Fullback Wales Wales
      Deon Smith Fullback Wales Wales
      Will Talbot-Davies Fullback Wales 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 Wales 2005 New Zealand
      Gareth Cooper Wales Wales 2005 New Zealand
      Dan Lydiate Wales Wales 2013 Australia
      Taulupe Faletau Wales Wales 2013 Australia
      Cory Hill Wales Wales 2017 New Zealand

      Head Coach

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

      Results and statistics

      Celtic League / Pro12 / Pro14

      SeasonPlayedWinDrawLossBPPointsPosition
      2003–042216068723rd
      2004–052011096504th
      2005–062270139458th[n 1]
      2006–072080127399th
      2007–081871104348th
      2008–091870115339th
      2009–10188195397th
      2010–1122101117497th
      2011–122271146369th
      2012–1322601642811th
      2013–142271145359th
      2014–1522801410429th
      2015-16224018102610th
      2016-1722401872311th
      2017-182122178206th (Conference B)[n 2]
      1. ↑ 11 teams were involved in this season, so one team did not play each week and were awarded four points instead. Therefore, each team finished the season with eight more points than the table would seem to warrant.
      2. ↑ The competition was split into two conferences of 7 teams each following the increase from 12 to 14 teams.

      Celtic Cup

      SeasonRoundMatch
      2003–04 First roundLlanelli Scarlets 40 – 6 Newport Gwent Dragons
      2004–05 Quarter-finalNewport Gwent Dragons 19 – 46 Llanelli Scarlets

      Heineken Cup / European Rugby Champions Cup

      YearPoolPosPlayedWonDrawnLossBonusPts
      2003–04 14th620419
      2004–05 53rd6303315
      2005–06 13rd610526
      2007–08 13rd610548
      2008–09 54th610537
      2009–10 24th610526
      2010–11 64th600622

      European Challenge Cup / European Rugby Challenge Cup

      YearPoolPosPlayedWonDrawnLossBonusPts
      2006–0711st6501525
      Quarter-finalNewport Gwent Dragons 39 – 17 Brive
      Semi-finalClermont Auvergne 46 – 29 Newport Gwent Dragons
      2011–1243rd6303315
      2012–1333rd6204513
      2013–1422nd6303214
      2014–1531st6501525
      Quarter-finalNewport Gwent Dragons 25–21 Cardiff Blues
      Semi-finalEdinburgh 45–16 Newport Gwent Dragons
      2015-1622nd6402420
      Quarter-finalGloucester 21-23 Newport Gwent Dragons
      Semi-finalMontpellier 22-12 Newport Gwent Dragons
      2016-1732nd6303214
      2017-1812nd6303416

      Anglo-Welsh Cup

      SeasonPoolPosPlayedWonDrawnLossBPPoints
      2005–06D3rd320108
      2006–07D3rd310204
      2007–08A4th301235
      2008–09A3rd310215
      2009–1042nd4301012
      2010–1121st4301012
      Semi-finalGloucester 45–17 Newport Gwent Dragons
      2011–1244th411217
      2012–1313rd420208
      2013–1414th410304
      2014–1513rd4202311
      2016-1713rd410315
      2017-1814th420219

      References

      1. ↑ Newport Gwent Dragons: Club Directory
      2. ↑ Archer, Graeme. "Sport". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      3. ↑ South Wales Argus – It's all out war!
      4. ↑ South Wales Argus – Support the Dragons!
      5. ↑ South Wales Argus – Brown's Back – And It's Now Newport And Gwent Dragons
      6. ↑ South Wales Argus – It's off!
      7. ↑ South Wales Argus – Can we get on with the rugby now?
      8. ↑ "Dragons enter administration". BBC News. 2003-11-12. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      9. ↑ South Wales Argus
      10. ↑ European Rugby Cup : Stade Burned By Dragons
      11. 1 2 Magners League Official Website : Stat Attack – League table
      12. ↑ WRU: Wales Coach Archive: Mike Ruddock: 2004 – 2006
      13. ↑ South Wales Argus – Time for six sense – Jones
      14. ↑ South Wales Argus – IT'S TURNER
      15. ↑ "Montgomery quits Wales for Sharks". BBC News. 2005-04-07. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      16. ↑ "Snow to retire at end of season". BBC News. 2005-03-16. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      17. ↑ "Dragons 15–24 Overmach Parma". BBC News. 2006-06-02. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      18. ↑ "Luscombe leaves Dragons for Quins". BBC News. 2006-04-01. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      19. ↑ "Dragons 22–15 Calvisano". BBC News. 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      20. ↑ "Dragons 15–13 Scarlets". BBC News. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      21. ↑ "Dragons 18–10 Ospreys". BBC News. 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      22. ↑ "Magners League table". BBC News. 2006-08-09. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
      23. ↑ http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/5019_10266.php
      24. ↑ "Kiwi arrival no issue for Gatland". BBC News. 2008-07-23.
      25. ↑ "Kiwi Willis made Dragons captain". BBC News. 2008-08-05.
      26. ↑ Roberts, Gareth (2009-05-29). "Calvisano 17–42 NG Dragons". BBC News.
      27. ↑ http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/5129.php
      28. ↑ Turner leaves Newport Gwent Dragons
      29. ↑ Pro12: Ex-Ospreys boss Lyn Jones takes over at Dragons
      30. ↑ Kingsley Jones Joins London Welsh
      31. ↑ Edwards leaves Dragons
      32. ↑ Kingsley Jones Head Coach at Dragons
      33. ↑ WRU buy Rodney Parade.
      34. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40346798
      35. ↑ South Wales Argus – Brown: I want nothing to do with `region'
      36. ↑ Windsor mourns fall of Pooler – Wales Online 5 July 2006
      37. ↑ South Wales Argus – Brown's Back – And now it's Newport and Gwent Dragons Thursday 21 August 2003
      38. ↑ South Wales Argus – Dragons hunt 'missing' fans
      39. ↑ Webb, Nick (2009-05-17). "Dragons back Newport in new cup". BBC News.
      40. ↑ Newport RFC feeder
      41. ↑ Magners League Official Website : Fixtures and Results Home Page Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
      42. ↑ Davies, Phil (Autumn 2002). "Rugby in the community" (PDF). Welsh Economic Review. Welsh Economy Research Unit. 14 (2): 13–14. ISSN 0965-2450. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2003-05-11.
      43. ↑ South Wales Argus – Gwent Dragons ready to roar at Rodney Parade
      44. ↑ Newport Gwent Dragons 7 – 31 Leeds Carnegie, 22/08/2003. Match Details Archived 18 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
      45. ↑ Newport Gwent Dragons 14 – 24 Gwent Premiership XV, 13/08/2004. Match Details Archived 17 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
      46. ↑ http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/34490
      47. ↑ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
      48. ↑ "Dragons Squad". Dragons Rugby. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
      49. ↑ "Transition Academy Squad". Dragons Rugby. Retrieved 12 July 2019. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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