JANUARY

January would be a good measuring stick for the year to come in rugby with talks of a civil war among the regions and the WRU showing no sign of abating.

The year got off to a rotten start for the Dragons, not only were they defeated in their New Year showdown with Cardiff Blues, but Blues director Richard Holland told the Argus that “no deal was likely,” with the WRU.

It would be the start of the month where we at the Argus would find straight talk from the Dragons hard to come by.

We reported on January 7 that the Dragons were looking to sign Aled Brew and Lee Byrne, reports that were initially denied.

However, a day later the duo were confirmed to be in talks at Rodney Parade and they inked contracts on January 9.

However, despite a convincing 24-12 win against Moligano, uncertainty was still the main concern with the Dragons.

In an exclusive interview with Argus Sport, chief executive Gareth Davies confirmed that plans to join the English Aviva Premiership were entirely realistic for the fourth Welsh regions.

However, the Dragons would also lose to Bath and heavily to Newcastle in January and opted to axe three players, Will Harries, Dan Evans and Sam Parry all informed they wouldn’t be offered new deals.

There was no better news for Newport County who endured a rotten January, seeing six games postponed between the middle of December and the start of 2014.

The state of the Rodney Parade playing surface dominated the back pages of the Argus with speculation on the grass and side stories, like Aaron O’Connor ranting on Twitter and Robbie Willmott signing a new contract; were given extra prominence.

However, County did manage three games, a goalless draw with Southend following a draw with Accrington and a disappointing defeat at Bristol Rovers. They also saw some player arrivals and departures.

The Exiles snapped up Shaun Jeffers, but only as part of the deal that saw Conor Washington head to Peterborough United, the fourth successive season County lost a star player in the winter window.

The Argus also linked County, for the first time; with a move for former fan favourite Darren Jones and reported that Justin Edinburgh had been successful in landing long-term target Rene Howe.

Away from the football, Cefn Fforest fighter Robbie Turley finally got the greenlight to resume his boxing career after a medical dispute and Warren Gatland prepared his side for the start of the 2014 Six Nations with the Italians first up.

Nathan Cleverly’s first comeback fight since he lost his world title was also announced by his promoter Frank Warren for March, only for Cleverly to subsequently pull out. His future remained unclear.

FEBRUARY

Newport County’s trouble and strife dominated the news agenda as things went from bad to worse for Justin Edinburgh’s men.

County were on the verge of the automatic promotion places at the turn of the year, but six postponements left them in arrears and their form went out of the window completely.

The Exiles were in a mess and lost three out of four games in February, a vital victory against Oxford at least lifting the gloom temporarily.

However, postponements galore had really dented County’s campaign and when the scheduled clash with Wimbledon on February 11 was called off for a second time, director of football Tim Harris admitted Newport were “at their lowest ebb.”

Surgery for star striker Aaron O’Connor, Tim Harris being offered and ultimately accepting the managers’ job at Gloucester City and a leak from the club that David Pipe and Mike Flynn were to leave – accompanied by much hysteria – putting County at their absolute lowest ebb.

In terms of rugby, it was a case of turning attention to the international fold as Wales got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start against Italy.

However, that was always just a stage-setter for the big clash in Dublin a week later when Gatland’s men were found wanting, Ireland recording a thumping 26-3 triumph that prompted Mike Phillips to take to Twitter and row with a member of One Direction. You really couldn’t make it up....

At least things would end on an up in February; Wales more than getting their campaign back on track by thumping France 27-6 at the Millennium Stadium.

The Dragons, shorn of their international stars, lost two of three games; defeated by Leinster and Ulster, but able to secure a dramatic one point triumph over Glasgow, edging them out 24-23.

However, there was at least some good news for the Rodney Parade faithful as a quartet of young stars Hallam Amos, Elliot Dee, Tyler Morgan and Joe Davies committed to the region with new contracts, though prop Francisco Chaparro was given a ten-week ban for a dangerous tackle.

The month would end on a surprising note at Rodney Parade with coach Darren Edwards’ departure confirmed a little earlier than expected. He left on February 28.

Elsewhere in Newport, the Wales Open Snooker got underway at the Leisure Centre, the final time Newport will stage the tournament and South Wales enjoyed a tremendous night of boxing at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

It was joy for Newport and agony for Newbridge in a classic all-Wales clash with Gary Buckland edging out former world champion Gavin Rees on points in a contentious decision after a brilliant fight.

There was no such debate about Lee Selby though, the St Joes boxer turning on the style as he made short work of Rendell Monroe and underlined his own world title credentials.