WELSH Rugby Union plans to take over Rodney Parade and Newport Gwent Dragons (NGD) have sparked heated debate since the idea was first suggested last week.

If approved, it would see the governing body of Welsh rugby rebranding the regional side.

Out would go Newport and Gwent from the name and the team would become simply the Dragons.

With that would come considerable financial investment in the historic ground - which is currently owned by Newport RFC, and also used by Newport County AFC.

The WRU has also expressed an interest in replacing the much criticised-grass pitch with an artificial one.

Martyn Phillips, WRU group chief executive, has said that the investment is “first and foremost about safeguarding the future of rugby in Gwent, and safeguarding the future of Newport RFC at Rodney Parade”.

It comes close to a year after NGD announced they were seeking further financial backing.

“All parties recognise that from an NGD perspective significant improvement is required on and off the pitch and that it is now time to take a different approach,” said Mr Phillips.

“This investment is equally designed to safeguard Newport RFC and its rich history at Rodney Parade and provides a long term programme where we focus on putting in solid foundations to ensure a sustainable and successful team in the region.

“Without this action the future of both the NGD and Newport RFC is at best uncertain, along with the existence of Rodney Parade.

“There is still a lot of hard work to be completed before the proposed transaction proceeds, but it is important to recognise that there will be no magic wand.”

Mr Phillips said the WRU package put together for the deal was the “very best” it could offer.

He added: “We know that we can only deliver on our ambitions if the communities of the region are engaged and get behind the team, but we believe that the solid foundations and sustainable future we will provide will be central to that happening.

“We will also focus on ensuring that the required pitch and facility improvements are addressed.

“Above all we want to safeguard the future of regional rugby in the area and, in turn, support the 73 clubs in the region and their stakeholders.

“We want Gwent to have a regional team to be proud of, a team which becomes synonymous with success both on and off the pitch for the good of the whole game in Wales and we will be utilising all of the resources and the expertise we have available to make sure that happens.

“A WRU working party will be engaged as soon possible, to consider all of the issues raised and to provide a clear way forward in the long term.”

The news has divided opinion in the city however.

Some see it as investment the club cannot do without, and optimistically see it as a potential launchpad for the future, while others fear it could be the end of rugby in the city, with no promise of a long-term lease agreement at Rodney Parade.

Ahead of the closed meeting held last night in the Bisley Suite at the ground, both rugby and football fans spoke passionately about the situation.

John Williams, 54, a supporter of Newport RFC, said: “I’m totally against this plan because I can’t see how rugby will stay here in the long-term.

“I can’t see the WRU keeping Rodney Parade if it’s making a loss.

“There’s a lot of debt which is building up and I worry that the ground could be sold off in years to come.

“That would be tragic.”

Rhys Morgan echoed his concerns.

“How will Newport RFC benefit from this?” said the 25-year-old.

“There’s a lot of history at the grounds - I remember my gramp telling me when the All Blacks played there.

“If the deal happens and we end up being in a mess, then me and a lot of supporters will be really angry.

“That would lead to Rodney Parade being sold off and the end of rugby here.”

Dragons fan Mathew Hodder said he believed the plan would help his “beloved” team in the future though.

“Newport Gwent Dragons are struggling and everyone knows it,” said the 32-year-old.

“It’s really upsetting because I’m a loyal fan and I don’t want to see my team collapse.

“The WRU deal would save my team and I think it would do wonders for sport in Newport.”

Jim Rees, who is a supporter of both Newport RFC and the Dragons, said he too was in favour.

He said: “Just think of the money that we will get.

“I can imagine it will be a lot of money and that will sort things out.

“We need some cash to improve and now there’s a chance.

“I hope the plan comes together.”

For the deal to be given the go-ahead, 75 per cent of Newport RFC shareholders must ratify it.

An EGM is set to take place next month.

Kevin Jarvis, who is secretary of Friends of Newport Rugby, said he remained unconvinced.

“There’s still not enough detail for us to be able to make a decision,” said Mr Jarvis.

“We want to see long-term commitment for Rodney Parade and how Newport RFC will be financially viable.

“Newport RFC currently owns the ground so I can’t see, if we lose the ground which we make money from, how we will benefit in the long-term.”

Kieran Mahoney, who lives in Coed Eva, is a supporter of Newport County,.

He said he was particularly opposed to the WRU taking “total control”.

“I do think that a take over is much needed to stabilise sport in the heart of the city centre,” said the 25-year-old.

“But solely having the WRU take over isn’t great.

“The Welsh FA, Newport City Council with the WRU should all be investing into Rodney Parade.”

Both NGD and Newport RFC are heavily in debt and owe around £1 million to the WRU, around £1 million to Swedish bank Handelsbanken, around £1.5 million to NGD chairman Martyn Hazell and £3million to board member Tony Brown.

Mr Hazell previously warned that if the proposed deal did not go ahead, then the “receivers would be in the next day”.

Newport County, Newport RFC and NGD were all contacted for comment.