IT’S easy to empathise with those that view fixture announcements as insignificant.

While supporters scan the list to check there are no clashes with weddings or family engagements, coaches trot out ‘it doesn’t matter, you’ve got to play everyone twice’.

But Newport Gwent Dragons face a crucial September in the RaboDirect Pro12.

After a disastrous 2012/13 campaign, a summer of change has brought a wave of optimism.

Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones have joined Darren Edwards to form an experienced management team while a host of signings will (hopefully) provide a solid spine to the team.

And after the Wales Under-20s matchday squad in the Junior World Championship final contained five Dragons, there is plenty of potential in the ranks.

At the moment everybody’s glass is half-full and there is excitement about the coming season.

But a note of caution, if the region starts sluggishly then that same glass could look half-empty before October.

Think back to the start of last season.

A one-sided romp against Zebre (who went on to lose every game) meant things started with a bang.

But the wheels came off with a demoralising loss to Cardiff Blues sandwiched by heavy losses in Ireland to Leinster and Munster.

The Dragons played catch-up all season and failed to reel in their Welsh rivals – the Blues were awful and still finished 10 points ahead.

The tone was set for the season in the opening exchanges and things got grimmer when defeats to Wasps and Bayonne pretty much sealed the region’s Amlin Challenge Cup fate after two rounds in October.

There was no shortage of effort but the season was largely demoralising with a sprinkling of high points.

It leads you to ponder what would be a success for the region this season.

I’d suggest being in the middle third of the table and being involved in a genuine tussle with the Blues and the Scarlets.

That all starts in September and last week we learnt the Dragons order of play for the coming league season.

The first month is intruiging with last season’s runners-up Ulster heading to Rodney Parade followed by a trip to Edinburgh, home derby with the Scarlets and journey to Munster.

The minimum requirement is two wins but the Dragons have a golden opportunity to make an early statement of intent.

Start the season with a bang and we will know that there is genuine reason for optimism in 2013/14.

Over to you boys.

IF the Welsh Rugby Union had their way the royal family would talk about pathway to the throne rather than accession.

The route from youth rugby through to regional rugby and then international rugby is all mapped out in great detail.

The same goes for coaching, which is why it is encouraging to see Pontypridd’s Dale McIntosh and Cardiff’s Mark Ring being brought into the fray by the Blues.

The pair have only been given part-time roles but have their foot in the door and have been given a chance.

That has to be applauded and it is imperative that burgeoning Premiership coaches feel that they can be trusted to take the next step in their development.

There is naturally a problem in that there are only four regions and opportunities are limited.

The Dragons, Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys must be given freedom to appoint who they want rather than feeling obliged to always promote from within for the benefit of the game.

But when coaches are successful and have the skills required they deserve to be brought into the set-up rather than being frustrated by queue-jumpers.

The likes of McIntosh, who has been highly successful with Ponty, need to know that there is no glass ceiling.