WRU set to finalise their takeover of the Dragons
THE Welsh Rugby Union is set to take over Newport Gwent Dragons – with a deal expected to be finalised within a matter of weeks.
The Union has been in talks with the board of directors at the struggling region for some time and it’s understood agreement is close.
The Dragons were put up for sale last April, but the search for new investors has proved fruitless despite apparent interest from some parties.
Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell also promised to write off any debts owed to him as a condition of any sale, leaving the organisation effectively debt-free.
The decision to relinquish control was made by its board after it agreed new investment was needed in order to try and close the gap, both financially and on the pitch, between the Dragons and the three other Welsh regions, as well as to help alleviate the financial pressure from clubs in England and France.
The team are currently 10th in the Guinness Pro12, with only Italian pair Treviso and Zebre below them, and were humiliated 54-22 at home by a largely second-string Leinster last Friday night.
The Dragons have only won eight out of 26 fixtures this season, four out of 16 in the league, three out of six in Europe’s second-tier Challenge Cup and one out of four in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
And the heavily-worn pitch at Rodney Parade, which is also used by Newport RFC and Newport County football club, has drawn widespread criticism.
The Western Mail understands the WRU is excited about the prospect of taking control of the Dragons and have identified the need to recruit a pair of half-backs who can guide promising players like Wales internationals Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan, Ollie Griffiths, Elliot Dee, Jack Dixon and Ashton Hewitt.
The WRU is adamant it won’t cut the number of its Pro12 entities from four to three, believing the existing number is needed to give young talent a chance to develop and shine.
Union chief executive Martyn Phillps said in January: “They are in a difficult spot at the minute. They are out there looking for new investment and that’s always a tough place to be, whether a sports team or a business.
“We, and they, are working very closely and very hard on that, but the closer next season comes the more urgency comes into that.
“What would a well-run, successful professional team look like? We are not where we want to be with the Dragons and part of my job is to help get it there.
“You couldn’t say no (to the WRU taking the Dragons over). We’d do whatever we need to. If it came to that we’d have to look at it and whether we could afford it, but my view is that professional rugby clubs going forward have to have a combination of union funding and private investment.
“The big thing for me is that there are 73 clubs in Gwent and they have a rich history and have always produced amazing players.
“There is no way that I’d be able to stand here and not have a professional club in Gwent without knowing that I’d done everything I could.
“We just have to find the right model and make the appropriate investments.
“That’s why they are working with us and our belief is we can turn that around.”