HEAD TO HEAD
Both teams find themselves with only two league wins apiece so far this campaign so will be looking to end 2017 on a high to take momentum into 2018.
In 29 meetings between the two teams the Ospreys have won 20 of the fixtures, with the Dragons last league win against the Liberty Stadium outfit at Rodney Parade coming in January 2012, by the slender margin of one point, as Dan Biggar missed a late drop goal attempt.
After an improved showing at the start of December with wins against Northampton for the Ospreys, they lost their Boxing Day encounter against the Scarlets last time out. The Dragons picked up points in the league against Ulster and victory against Enisei earlier this month, before narrow defeats to Newcastle Falcons and Cardiff Blues.
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Bernard Jackman has rung the changes to the starting line-up for the Dragons versus Ospreys clash on New Year’s Eve, with Sam Beard and Carl Meyer returning to the back line and Arwel Robson and Dan Babos paired at half back. Roach and Landman start in the forwards along with Lloyd Fairbrother, try scorer against Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day.
Dragons Team
15 Carl Meyer, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Babos; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 4 Cory Hill (c), 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Ben Roach, 8 James Benjamin.
Replacements; Liam Belcher, Thomas Davies, Nicky Thomas, Robson Blake, James Sheekey, Sarel Pretorius, Angus O’Brien, Jarryd Sage.
Ospreys Team 15 Dan Evans 14 Hanno Dirksen 13 Kieron Fonotia 12 Owen Watkin 11 Jeff Hassler 10 Dan Biggar 9 Rhys Webb 1 Nicky Smith 2 Scott Baldwin 3 Dmitri Arhip 4 Bradley Davies 5 Adam Beard 6 Dan Lyudiate (c) 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Olly Cracknell
Replacements Scott Otten, Paul James, Ma'afu Fia, Alun Wyn Jones, Rob McCusker, Tom Habberfield, Sam Davies, Ashley Beck
TICKETS
All Dragons Season Members are able to use their membership cards for this match and for those fans who don’t have a membership, match-day tickets subject to availability can be purchased directly from the Rodney Parade Ticket Office in person at the gate. There are limited seats left in the Bisley Stand and centre blocks of the Hazel. The Ticket office is open from 9am – 1pm today and from 9am on the day of the game.
It was fantastic to record a capacity crowd for the Cardiff Blues game on Boxing Day, but we are aware some supporters experienced being moved during the game due to the wet weather affecting supporters in uncovered areas.
We have taken measures to ensure this issue does not happen again.
PRE MATCH ENTERTAINMENT
Our We Fight Any Claim fanzone opens from 2.30pm, where you can meet players for autographs, get pre-match drinks and grab a bite to eat, plus you can enjoy a Q&A with a Dragons first team player hosted by the official Dragons Supporters Club. Also for the children there's free face painting and plenty of child activities with rugby skills, meet our entertainers The Sprorts Guides from Fairplay Comedy as well as our match day partners Wagamama
NEW FANZONE BAR
In partnership with Coors and Guinness there’s a new fanzone bar open for tonight’s PRO14 clash. The bar is located at the end of the Hazel concourse, ideally suited for supporters in Blocks D & E as well as the South Terrace, plus additional bars have been added around the ground including at the South Stand for customers attending our Christmas and New Year fixtures.
TOP TIPS FOR ENJOYING THE GAME
1. Arrive Early: Come and enjoy the atmosphere at Rodney Parade and avoid the rush, with our We Fight Any Claim Family zone open from 2.30pm and gates open an hour and half before kick off.
Pre-match there’s the chance to collect autographs with Dragons players in the marquee and you can get pre-match drinks and a bite to eat, plus plenty of activities including free face painting, Q&A with a Dragons first team player hosted by the official Dragons Supporters Club at 4.35pm. We'll also welcome our resident DJ from Sound 2 Light Roadshow.
2. Cash is King: Payments at the food and drink units and any ticket upgrades you may need to purchase are cash only. The nearest cash points are on Clarence Place and Corporation Road should you require one.
3. Don’t forget your tickets: No duplicate tickets will be issued, so bring your tickets particularly if you selected Print@Home.
4. Check the ground regulations: Please refrain from going on the pitch which is strictly off limit. This is to ensure you adhere to the Stadium Ground Regulations.
5. Stay onside: There are plenty of bars around the ground so please do not bring alcohol onto the premises as it is prohibited within our Ground Regulations. Remember Rodney Parade is a family venue so please respect your fellow supporters.
6. Enjoy: We want you to have a great night out supporting the Dragons so have a great day and enjoy your visit to Rodney Parade.
7. The We Fight Any Claim will be open after the match but there’s no live music after the game, with bars closing by 10pm.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
The youngsters performing the guard of honour are from the Dragons Community regional club’s engagement programme – Talywain and Hafodrynys RFC. The juniors will take part in a half time parade
HALF TIME COMPETITION
The Dragons have partnered with Colley Motor Group to give two lucky supporters the chance to drive away with a Mitsubishi L200 Pick Up.
TONIGHT’S CHARITY
The match day collection today will be for former Dragons player Ed Jackson organised by his charity fundraising committee through the Matt Hampson foundation. Please give generously.
Supporters' Club competition - Guess the 1st Try scorer – look out for your opportunity to predict the first try scorer tonight to win a prize from our match day partners Wagamama who will be at the game with some special prizes.
RODNEY PARADE TRAVEL
For an update on how to get to Rodney Parade, please click here.
Supporters are urged to respect our local residents when travelling to and from the stadium.
Please remember, if you are attending a match at Rodney Parade and have an issue, please contact your nearest steward. Following a game, you can email any observations, complaints or issues to info@dragonsrugby.wales
Thank you and enjoy the game.
