Dragons look to compete in Wales

Future Dragon: Willis is one of three New Zealanders on his way to Newport

Dragons Chairman Martyn Hazell hopes that the stadium developments at Rodney Parade will enable his side to compete with Wales' other three regions in attracting big-name players to Newport.

The Gwent region have submitted all the relevant documents regarding their application for the upgrade of their stadium, and now hope planning permission will be granted in the next three months.

It is hoped the new stadium, which will cost £40m, will be ready for the start of the 2010/11 season, with further developments regarding the project to be completed within four years.

As well as the rugby stadium, there will also be a range of student and private flats, offices, conference facilities and a community centre. State-of-the-art training facilities on-site include an indoor barn.

Hazell hopes this will support the Dragons in their recruitment process in future seasons.

"This project will allow us to compete with the other regions in Wales," Hazell told The Western Mail.

"This place is tired and everything is against us at the moment. So these new facilities will probably enable us to attract top players now if we want to buy foreign stars in the future.

"The development provides pristine training ground facilities and stadium, so it is common sense, it will be more attractive."

With Three New Zealanders, Tom Willis, Grant Webb and James Arlidge, heading to Rodney Parade in the off-season Hazell has admitted the Dragons foray into the foreign market is over for this year.

"We have filled our foreign player limit so that will be it," said Hazell.

"We have got some New Zealanders coming in here next season and our team will be much better than last year.

"But it is not just about the players because if that was the case the Ospreys would have won everything.

"And if our players had played to their potential this year and we had not picked up injuries then we would have won more games."