By Lestyn - 03/09/03
September 3 2003

After a turbulent summer the Dragons will just be grateful for the chance to prove themselves on the pitch rather than off it. With nearly all of Newport's foreign legion leaving, Mike Ruddock has had to bring in a lot of players from outside the region so it's a side more or less from scratch.

It has been a difficult job for Ruddock to put together a competitive squad, but still the former Wales "A" coach has managed to persuade Michael Owen to leave Pontypridd and another Welsh squad member Rhys Oakley from Bristol. But in truth the rest of his signings are mostly what could be described as "rejects".

Lee Jarvis, Kevin James, Steve Jones, Rhodri Jones, Jamie Ringer and Steve Winn move west to region, having not secured Osprey contracts. With Andy Powell preferring a move to France with Beziers, now qualified Welshman Shawn Van Rensburgh signs along with occasional Scottish international Ross Beattie are brought in as back row cover. Not to forget Brett Davey of course from Ponty.

Starting as usual my break down of the regions up front, at prop the Dragons have an experienced trio of props in Adam Black who makes the hard yards, Chris Anthony who has a point to prove to Steve Hansen. And should relish the opportunity to work with Ruddock again, having been at Swansea with him. Rod Snow may have be nearing the end of his career, but still is as mobile as ever.

Paul Young is a vastly underrated Hooker with an immense work rate around the park. Young may be pushed for the number two spot by former Neath man Steve Jones, who was one of the best lineout throwers in Wales last time round. The Youngest of the hookers is unlikely to feature much, but Keiron Crawford has the pedigree as the Wales under 21 hooker, and was a key figure in their grand slam success. Very mobile having made the switch from flanker to the front row two seasons ago.

You would expect Ian Gough and the recently converted Michael Owen to make the second row there's, but a lock to look out for this season is Martin Morgan, who impressed a lot of scouts in England with his strong all round game and lineout work at his time with Worcester. Moving back to Michael Owen, it's a good job he has come to the realisation that he never had the pace to play flanker or number eight.

The back row looks ok - can Van Rensburgh keep his Bridgend form up from last season? I'm not convinced yet. Rhys Oakley looked good for Wales against Scotland last week, if he keeps grafting away the Dragons may find themselves with a class act only in his second season of pro rugby. Jason Forster's experience will make him a key member of the side. As for Ross Beattie he hasn't really played enough due to a knee injury, to judge his form properly.

At half back it's going to take a while for Ruddock to find his best combination. Three different scrum halves offer three slightly different styles of play. Out of the fly halves it's Warlow or Jarvis, possibly - Warlow on the hard grounds and Jarvis on the soft.

Inside centre is Marinos's, so were certainly not going to see an expansive game plan there then! Steve Winn is the safe option for the outside role, but it may just be tempting to bring in Nathan Brew or Hal Luscombe off the wing to make the back line slightly more attack minded.

The two youngsters mentioned above are likely to fill the wings, however Ben Breeze and Kevin James may force their way in.

Percy Montgomery is a certainty for 15 when he returns from that ban in December, Brett Davey should be a more than useful stop gap.

My Top XV for the season-

15.Montgomery, 14.Ben Breeze 13.Nathan Brew, 12.Marinos, 11.Hal Luscombe, 10.Warlow, 9.Baber, 8.Van Rensburg , 7.Forster, 6.Oakley, 5.Gough, 4.Owen, 3.Anthony, 2.Young, 1.Snow

Reserves: R Jones, Jarvis, Davey, Beattie, P Sidoli, Black, S Jones,

During the World cup: Only Owen's off to Oz, lock is a position they lack depth in as well.

Verdict: Already completely written off by most people, including nearly all of their own fans (You know who You are), The Dragons have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They may not have the star names that the old Newport bok and ambers did, but with a strong front five and the likes of Oakley, Forster, Marinos and Montgomery may just bring the best out of the rest. They'll be a hard side to beat at home, but are likely to struggle away from home due to the lack of all round quality- 9th