IT IS with the deepest of deep joy that this columnist welcomes the news that TV election debates featuring the leaders of seven UK political parties will be staged in the run-up to the May 7 poll.

No, sorry. In the truest political tradition, I must perform a blatant u-turn and declare that in reality, the prospect is about as appealing as eating liver and onions with a side order of Brussels sprouts three times a day, everyday, forever. Ugh.

But I tried to enter into the spirit of the thing, I really did. After all, 22 million people tuned into the first of the TV debates in the run-up to the 2010 General Election, so there must be some sort of appetite for this type of thing.

The problem is, I remember that debate all too well. That was the infamous "I agree with Nick" debate, when David Cameron and Gordon Brown inadvertently cast Nick Clegg as the saviour of the universe, setting the Liberal Democrats up for the strong polling day performance that helped them to get a foot in the door of government.

So, in a way, it proved that such occasions do matter, in shaping our political future - and there have been debates that have been truly important in swaying opinion, with the Kennedy-Nixon face-off in the USA in 19860 perhaps the best example.

But if that is what we have to endure in order to form an opinion of the political choices on offer, I despair.

What makes the prospect of TV debates in the forthcoming election less than enticing, is that we have already had a seemingly endless debate about the form the debates should take.

David Cameron kicked that off several weeks ago by declaring that if the Green Party was not allowed a place at the debating table, he would not take part.

It would have been nice to think that here was a case of a political leader acting in a selfless, non-partisan way, but of course at this stage in the parliamentary cycle, and with so much at stake in three-and-a-half months' time, that is about as likely as a great white shark having all its teeth extracted to prove to dubious swimmers that it was a reformed character.

Was the Prime Minister engaging in hollow posturing? Maybe. But equally likely perhaps, is that Ed Miliband's dusting down of Margaret Thatcher's old 'frit' put-down to describe Mr Cameron's stance, focused influential minds in the PM's party.

Broadcasters have also shifted somewhat too, having initially appeared set on 'empty-chairing' Mr Cameron if he did not back down.

That threat has now been reiterated for all the leaders of the parties invited into the newly-announced seven-handed debates, that have been pencilled in for April 2,16 and 30.

Frankly, seven empty chairs and an hour of silence on the above dates would do it for me.

But as it stands, I may have to arrange to be 'washing my hair' on the nights in question, or be engaging in something else more preferable.

I might embalm myself with Golden Syrup, or wear a Nottingham Forest shirt to a Derby County fans' convention.

Why don't you join me? If you don't fancy it, be warned, these debates will be three hours of your lives you will not get back, and it should be possible to make up your mind how to vote without tuning in to watch what sounds like the clumsy amalgamation of a pair of dour firms of chartered accountants - the Cameron, Miliband, Clegg, Farage, Wood, Sturgeon and Bennett Show.

EURO-scepticism is all the rage these days, but in one corner of Gwent, the continent is being embraced with open arms.

However difficult - with a couple of notable exceptions - the trials and tribulations of the current Guinness Pro12 league season have been, when it comes to European competition, Newport Gwent Dragons have performed brilliantly.

A stunning win in Paris against French Top 14 title challengers Stade Francais was backed up with a fine victory at Newcastle Falcons last week, to book a European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter final berth.

True, Stade Francais omitted several internationals from their cup squad, with their focus on winning their domestic league, but they still boast an impressive roll call.

A win in the return against the star-studded French side at Rodney Parade today would clinch a home quarter final and would represent an impressive achievement given the strength of the opposition and the Dragons' otherwise indifferent form during 2014/15.

Life as a Dragons' fan can be frustrating, especially when European form is not replicated in the league, but progress in the cup is a real winter tonic, and will add spice to the post-Six Nations spring fixture list.