THERE was a feeling of optimism at Rodney Parade at the end of 2014/15. The hope was that Newport Gwent Dragons could push on and enjoy a season to remember.

As we digest a shocking Guinness Pro12 campaign and another fine European Challenge Cup run, it’s hard to know what to expect when the Dragons get back under way in September.

This season has been tough. Very tough.

Things have gone horribly wrong in the league since Tom James’ late try to level and Rhys Patchell’s even later penalty to burgle the spoils for Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade on December 27.

The Dragons mustered a solitary win against Pro12 title hopefuls Leinster in January and were cut adrift with the Italian pair of Zebre and Treviso, managing just four wins and 26 points.

They finished a whopping 28 points behind ninth-placed Edinburgh, they endured a whitewash of derby defeats, they failed to win away from Rodney Parade.

It has been a season to make shoulders sag yet the same reasons for optimism this time last year are still valid.

The Dragons may have just two players in Warren Gatland’s squad for New Zealand that will be on the books next term – wing Hallam Amos and centre Tyler Morgan – but they have other bright prospects in the ranks in centre Jack Dixon, wing Ashton Hewitt, hooker Elliot Dee, flanker Ollie Griffiths, tighthead Leon Brown, back row forward Harri Keddie.

Centre Adam Warren and full-back Carl Meyer had excellent first full seasons at Rodney Parade and the overseas contingent of Brok Harris, Rynard Landman, Sarel Pretorius and Nick Crosswell all add value to the squad despite somewhat harshly being labelled as ‘journeymen’ in some quarters.

The Dragons need some luck with injury; every side suffers with absentees but the Rodney Parade side have been decimated with Morgan, Dixon, Tom Prydie, James Thomas, Andrew Coombs and Joe Davies (an exceedingly bright prospect whose progress has been derailed by a catalogue of problems) all failing to make it to double figures in terms of games played.

Amos, Griffiths, Dorian Jones and captain Rhys Thomas have also had lengthy spells on the treatment table.

So, after the coaching situation was sorted with Kingsley Jones in the hotseat, we will be venturing into the unknown when it comes to 2016/17 – it could be surprisingly good or it could be awful yet again.

At the Guinness Pro12 awards on Sunday evening, Welsh legend Gerald Davies urged teams to take a leaf out of Connacht’s book following a season in which they have rocketed up the table to second, earning a play-off semi-final in Galway.

I wrote last week that it seems to pass some by that the success of Pat Lam’s side has been aided by increased funding but they also profited from having something to hold onto. They started the season well, belief soared and momentum built.

So much of what the Dragons can achieve next year will be dictated by how they start; if they can bag a September away win to end their travel sickness, if they can claim an early big scalp and if they can be sitting around the top half as we approach winter then it will perk up supporters.

And the punters are realistic, they don’t expect the Dragons to suddenly leap up the table and challenge for the play-offs. That won’t happen without a big cash injection.

They have not seen their side enjoy a top-half finish since Chris Anderson was at the helm in 2005 but after a season that has dampened enthusiasm, it would be nice if they are pleasantly surprised by 2016/17.

South Wales Argus:

IT'S been a turbulent season at Rodney Parade but it has been a campaign to remember for Adam Warren.

When the centre took to the field at Zebre on Saturday afternoon he made it a clean sweep of starts; the once-capped Wales centre has worn 12 or 13 on his back in all 30 fixtures this season.

Warren certainly deserves his summer of rest after his wish for more game time following his move east from the Scarlets in 2015 was emphatically granted.

The 25-year-old was forced to shoulder a heavy burden because of injuries to Jack Dixon, Tyler Morgan and Pat Leach and not only has he racked up the minutes but he has played admirably.

The amount of game time has probably affected some of his performances since the turn of the year – such a work load is incredibly draining both mentally and physically – but Warren deserves a big pat on the back.

He is a popular member of the squad and it will be interesting to see what happens next year if he is battling with the fit again Dixon and Morgan for starts along with Adam Hughes, who has also been terrific on his return to Newport, Ross Wardle and newcomers Sam Beard and Pat Howard.

Forget reputations or potential, Warren deserves to be in the XV when next season gets under way.

His success also serves as a timely reminder not to write off the players that are heading to Rodney Parade this summer.

Warren didn't exactly set pulses racing when he signed from the Scarlets and the same can be said for Beard, Howard, Sam Hobbs, Craig Mitchell and Nick Macleod.

While the Dragons undoubtedly could do with a marquee signing or two, hopefully the fresh additions will add depth and quality to the squad. It can often be prudent to sign a player with a point to prove.