WRU ready to step in to save Dragons

THE WELSH Rugby Union may take over Newport Gwent Dragons if the region fails to attract new investment.

The WRU own a 50 per cent stake in the region and chief executive Martyn Phillips revealed the WRU would not turn their back on the region if a new investor can’t be found for the ailing region.

Phillips, below, said: “If you looked at what a well-run successful, professional team looked like, we’re not where we want to be with the Dragons.

“You couldn’t say no (to the WRU taking the Dragons over), we’d do whatever we need to.”

The Dragons have finished as the lowest Welsh region in eight out of 12 seasons in the PRO12 and have struggled to attract big-name signings and retain top Wales internationals.

With little sign of new investment being imminent, Phillips revealed a contingency plan would be put in place to ensure professional rugby remains in the region.

“They are in a difficult spot at the minute,” said Phillips. “They are out there looking for new investment. That’s always a tough place to be whether you are a sports team or a business. Part of my job is to help get it there. That’s what we need to do. “We and they are working very closely and very hard on that, but the closer next season comes, the more urgency comes into that. “The big thing is there are 73 clubs in Gwent, they have a rich history and have always produced some amazing players, so there is no way that I would be able to stand here and not have a professional club in Gwent without knowing I had done everything I could. “My view is, if you look at professional rugby clubs, they will have to have a combination of Union funding and private investment going forward.” Asked if four regions were sustainable, Phillips replied: “I really want it to be. For a nation of our size and how important rugby is to Wales and the pool of players we believe we need to be successful, we are pretty hell-bent on getting the four to work and that’s what we are focussing on.”