WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips is urging Dragons fans past and present to join the rebranded side as it embarks on its new journey.

Following an off-season of upheaval, the club are hoping a bumper crowd will cheer the players on as they kick off the Guinness PRO14 season against Leinster at Rodney Parade.

The Irish side will be the first league visitors to tread on the new £750,000 surface at the ground when the two teams meet at 3.15pm later today.

It is hoped that a positive attendance will surpass the 4,059 that watched the same fixture last season.

And Mr Phillips believes the dream of a revival of the game in the region will not come true without the return of a passionate support.

“This ambition will not be fully realised unless supporters find their way to Rodney Parade – new, current and returning,” said Mr Phillips.

“If you were once part of a faithful and passionate crowd, but we have lost you, we need you back. If you have never been to a Dragons game, we need you to let us know what it would take to get you to pay a visit.”

Aside from the new name and pitch, the WRU have appointed a new coach in Bernard Jackman and invested in the coaching and playing environment since assuming control in July.

Further changes, such as the appointment of a new board and chairman, are in the pipeline, but Mr Phillips said that the hard work has only just begun.

He added: “These are exciting times for the Dragons and the 73 clubs in Gwent which they represent, as supporters ‘join the evolution’ in their droves. No doubt there will be tough times ahead, but while the destination is important, it’s the journey that will capture the imagination.”