The Things To Do List at Newport Gwent Dragons is a long one. But Robin Davey believes a new pitch and some players to set alongside Gavin Henson should be near the very top.
The Dragons have been thrown a lifeline and they finally have a chance of making progress after years of failure on and off the field. You can bet, too, that Gavin Henson will be at the centre of it.
Newport RFC shareholders voted on Tuesday night by a whopping 81% to accept the WRU’s offer to take over the stricken Rodney Parade operation.
It was a decision that has given the Dragons fresh hope and Newport RFC an opportunity to go their own way as a separate entity.
On top of that, right out of the blue, came an announcement by WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips that they would install a Desso-type hybrid pitch.
Only a fortnight earlier, at an open meeting, he explained that if Newport County, who have a 10-year lease at the ground, remained in the Football League (FL) they could not put down a 3g or 4g pitch because FL rules forbid it.
A hybrid pitch – similar to the one at the Liberty Stadium – would be too expensive to put in and also to maintain, said Phillips.
But all of a sudden, the Union have decided to put down a hybrid, which will solve many of the pitch problems that have bedevilled Rodney Parade for the past two years.
It means the three teams may be able to use the ground without any fears of the pitch cutting up or flooding and the WRU can fulfil their aim of utilising it for the community, too.
Which brings us to Henson. From here on in, it will be all guns blazing as the Dragons get their off-field machinery into gear – though, as new owners, the WRU will obviously direct what happens now.
And, though Henson may be in the veteran stage of his career at 35, he is by no means past his sell-by date and he will have great value as a marketing tool.
There’s no doubt he remains box office and his decision to return to Wales and sign for the Dragons could be a godsend in trying to attract new fans and even new business to Rodney Parade.
For they have struggled to find a focal point and there will be many supporters who don’t like the decision to drop Newport from the title and call the team just the Dragons.
Phillips has impressed many who have attended meetings in the build-up to the vote, with his integrity and honesty. But he and his WRU colleagues now agree that the hard work is only just beginning.
They have precious little time to organise that hybrid pitch and there are a whole host of ground improvements to be carried out for the place is in a bad state of disrepair.
Probably, top of the things-to-do list is recruitment. The Dragons’ season has been a disaster, finishing 11th in the Guinness Pro 12 table, below even Treviso. They failed to gain an away win all campaign and have finished the bottom Welsh region 10 times in the 14 years of regional rugby.
Apart from Henson, South African Zane Kirchner has joined, while a new outside-half is an absolute priority for they have sadly lacked experience and guidance from No.10.
Phillips has already pledged that academy players returning to Wales will be guided in the direction of the Dragons and a senior player or two returning to Wales could decamp at Rodney Parade, as well.
It’s a massive task – akin to awakening a sleeping giant.
But the all-important vote has been won, the first steps in getting the new Dragons off the ground are being taken, and with any luck the future should finally be a bit brighter.
And we can all expect Henson to rock-up at Rodney Parade to try to galvanise the whole place.
It promises to be quite a ride.
