It’s been a time of change for Dragons fans following a disastrous time on the pitch, but will fortunes now improve? Are the alterations for the better?
A new era has begun at Rodney Parade with a raft of strategic alterations; long-suffering supporters will hope this galvanises matters on the pitch but the Dragons will be hard pressed to threaten the top three of their Pro14 conference.
The stats for Welsh rugby’s seemingly perennial whipping boys make for grim reading. No competitive silverware of any description since their 2003 inception. All but four of 13 seasons in the now-defunct Pro12 as the lowest-finishing Welsh side.
It wasn’t always this bad for the Dragons, who are nestled in a traditional rugby heartland in South East Wales with a feeder base rich in history, including Ebbw Vale and Newport RFC.
In the inaugural season of what was then called the Celtic League, they garnered 16 wins in 22 games on their way to 3rd. Amazingly, all five Welsh sides (including the now-defunct Celtic Warriors) finished inside the top 6.
The Dragons followed this up in 2004/05 with a credible 4th but they have not scaled such heights in the league since. Last year, they managed just four wins and achieved a dismal 11th place.
It seems the fans are fed up. Just a year before the regionalisation of Welsh rugby, Newport RFC were the best supported team in Wales, averaging over 8,000 fans per home game. These days, you are lucky to see 6,000 fans at Rodney Parade.
A raft of big player sales, most recently that of Taulupe Faletau, have weakened not only the squad in successive years but the resolve of the fans as well. So what hope then? Well, the Dragons are now under the leadership of the WRU.
A glance at the success of WRU-owned RGC 1404 in North Wales shows the benefits of being a pet project.
The Dragons are now considered a development side by some. Certainly, a stated objective of new coach Bernard Jackman is the progression of young local talent.
On the subject of Irishman Jackman, while an undoubted success as a player, the jury is still out on him as a top-level coach. He garnered a reputation as a disciplinarian at previous club Grenoble of France who were relegated last year.
However, he has made all the right noises so far by taking a very direct approach to relations with supporters and by demanding his charges turn Rodney Parade into a ‘fortress’ this season.
Two of the earliest initiatives of the WRU have been to lay a new £750,000 pitch at Rodney Parade after embarrassments last season and to finally change the contentious region name by dropping both ‘Newport’ and ‘Gwent’.
It remains to be seen whether a new pitch will have a positive impact on the Dragons’ fortunes. While more attractive rugby is now a probability, this may just increase the try deficit between the league’s ‘entertainers’ and the region.
Free-scorers such as the Scarlets or Leinster, who managed 157 tries between them last season, may relish the opportunity given by the new surface. In contrast, the Dragons scored just 38.
Regarding naming, this simply had to change. A frequent topic of conversation (or perhaps argument) between fans was alienation felt by one party compared to the other, be that Newport or wider Gwent. The Dragons can now be a ‘true’ region.
In terms of transfers, the Dragons have acquired former Gavin Henson from Bristol and 31-cap Springbok back Zane Kircher from Leinster. Fullback Tom Prydie, limited ultimately by unfortunate injuries, has left for the Scarlets.
The Dragons possess some young talent. New Wales cap Ollie Griffiths should occupy a regular flanker berth, while wing Ashton Hewitt has impressed. Additionally, prop Leon Brown and flanker Harrison Keddie should earn more game time this season.
Jackman has attempted to rectify possible over reliance on this youth setup by signing those experienced backs. While the squad does not look like the full finished article just yet, he is likely to be given ample time by the WRU.
Perhaps of concern is the Dragons’ forward pack. Here, Jackman has added two hookers to provide competition to Rhys Buckley and Elliot Dee. Ed Jackson, in recovery from a sad and shocking career-ending injury, is a huge loss at number eight.
The Dragons will also need some of their exciting back line, such as Hallam Amos, Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan, to avoid injury and put a string of games together to build momentum. So often the Rodney Parade faithful are denied seeing these three together.
So what can be realistically expected from the Dragons this season? The top three in each conference go through to the Pro14 playoffs; this is probably beyond them this time. The Scarlets, Leinster and Ulster (in that order) are my tips there.
A strong 4th would be very positive, and possibly achievable, for the Dragons. This should be their aim and surely a position the fans would accept.
It’s probably more evolution rather than revolution at the Dragons in terms of on-pitch prospects this season. The reforms off the pitch may not immediately manifest development in playing terms.
Progress for the Dragons will come. After over a decade of sustained decline, the next few years should see a considerable improvement. Granted, it can hardly get any worse.