Newport Gwent Dragons begin their preparations for the 2006/07 season with their first pre season game against the Gwent Premier Select XV on Wednesday kick off 7.15pm.
The Dragons have selected a strong squad for the game which will see new signings, Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, Joe Bearman, James Harris, Nic Fitsemanu, Aled Brew, Shane Stewart and Matt Jess make their debuts for the region.
Paul Turner's Dragons will go head-to-head with some of the most talented Premiership players and the game allows Head Coach Paul Turner and his coaching team of Leigh Jones and Dai Rees the opportunity to not only gauge how preparations are going with their squad but also to see the other talent that exists in Gwent.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's fixture Paul Turner commented, "Wednesday gives us a great opportunity to gather some form of momentum to take us into our trip to Penzance and then our bank holiday game against Bath. As well as looking at both newcomers to the squad and the young academy players who have trained hard all summer, it also give us the chance to see what young talent there is around our Premiership clubs in the region. Also the public have an opportunity to come and support their region."
On the replacements bench for The Dragons regulars Adam Black, Steve Jones, Andrew Hall, Gareth Baber and Ceri Sweeney are named alongside Academy players Lewis Evans and Gareth Maule.
Following the Dragons first pre season game supporters are also reminded that Sunday sees Family Fun Day at Rodney Parade and as well as meeting the Men of Gwent and enjoying a host of activities supporters are also able to claim a 10% discount on season tickets. Tickets have been selling well and are comparable with this time last year and over 1,700 tickets have been sold so far for the new season.
"We are very encouraged by the support from our supporters especially after the initial disappointment of being outside the Heineken Cup next season," said Dragons commercial director Gethin Jenkins.
"We think we have an attractive season ticket package regarding prices which has been reflected by the high level of support, and we're almost level pegging with last summer.
"Discounts will still be available on family fun day when we have traditionally sold a large number as supporters take advantage of the early bird bonus available on that day.
"We've got fixtures with Bristol, European champions Munster and Leinster visiting outside of the Six Nations (weekend of April 13) so all their stars like Brian O'Driscoll should be available.
"Supporters should also be able to watch players of the calibre of Carlos Spencer, Bruce Reihana, Ben Cohen and Sean Lamont when Northampton visit here in October apart from Welsh stars like the returning Stephen Jones, plus Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel, so there's plenty to look forward to."
Just one of the major offers supporters can enjoy on family fun day is a massive saving of £248 when two adults and two children buy season tickets. Adult stand season tickets will cost £200 and £100 on Sunday.
Dragons Team
Aled Thomas, Matt Jess, Nathan Brew, Shane Stewart, Aled Brew, Craig Warlow, Alex Walker, David Maddocks, Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, Bryn Griffiths, Peter Sidoli, Joe Bearman, James Harris, Nic Fitsemanu.
Replacements
Adam Black, Steve Jones, Gethin Robinson, Andrew Hall, Lewis Evans, Andrew Coombs, Gareth Baber, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Fussell, Gareth Maule, Gareth Chapman.
Gwent Premier XV
Jonathan Williams, Scott Horner, Ryan Howells, Scott Williams, Marcus Johnstone, James Dixon, Harry Trelawney, Ian George, Richard Wilks, Richard Cornock, Scott Marasco, Adam Brown, Jack Liddiatt, Dai Tovey, Deri Mattravers.
Replacements
John Hill, Scott Mitchell, Owen Jones, Andrew Harrison, Grant Wilson, Simon Hunt, Dan Liddiatt, Gary Horrigan, Brendan Fisher, Jamie Corsi.
