THE Dragons can only become a true region by moving out of Newport and attracting fans from the Gwent Valleys, says Welsh rugby legend JPR Williams.

Williams, who starred at full back for Wales during their golden era in the 1970s, thinks the Dragons should leave Rodney Parade and move their ground to Cwmbran.

Williams also believes the Dragons should consider spending more money on attracting top players to improve their fortunes.

And he has the highest regard for their coach Paul Turner, who, he thinks, is doing a great job in difficult circumstances.

Williams, who won 55 caps for his country and played essential roles on the victorious Lions tours of 1971 and 1974, said: “Supporters from Pontypool and Ebbw Vale are never going to watch the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

“I’ve proposed for a long time, but nobody seems to take it on board, that the Dragons should move to Cwmbran.

“Then they might have a different outcome. At the moment there is still ‘too much Newport’ in the Dragons.

“I think it was wrong, I would have preferred it going down to six clubs, but you’ve got to buy into regional rugby now. We’re stuck with it.

“The only real region is the Ospreys and who would have thought that Neath and Swansea would get on? The Scarlets are a law unto themselves.”

Referring to Manchester United’s signing last week of Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth £30.75m, Williams said: “Unfortunately in professional sport today, it’s all about money. There are only four teams in football’s Premier League who can win the title and buy the best players.

“The Dragons do struggle unfortunately but they are doing the best they possibly can.

“They are financially secure which is nice in a sense but they don’t overspend.”

On the Dragons’ head coach, Williams said: “I think Paul Turner is a very good coach. You’ve only got to look at his CV. He was the man who started the revival at Sale.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Paul and his philosophy. He is a very patient man, but you’ve got to be with the Dragons.”

* JPR Williams spoke to the Argus at a gathering of 1955 Welsh Lions at the Millennium Stadium hosted by HSBC.