Bearman: We owe fans one

11:35am Friday 9th May 2008

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NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have had a pretty dismal season and they have got to improve by the time they play in the new £40m stadium, says player-of-the-year Joe Bearman.

The Cornish back row forward who has made a big impression in the two years he has been with the Dragons, doesn't pull any punches.

"I know Paul Turner has been to New Zealand and is signing several players from there so it's getting more serious now," he said.

"We can't be having results like we've had when we go into the new stadium or it won't be worth having it.

"Hopefully the New Zealanders who are coming over will be good for the youngsters here and for the new stadium, apart from having a crack at everything."

Bearman is delighted with plans for the new stadium at Rodney Parade and with the facilities it will offer including, most significantly, a badly needed training barn.

"We haven't had a training pitch, but now we'll be getting one which is really exciting," said Bearman who is also hoping to qualify for Wales on residential grounds in another year.

"I don't really think about it, but it would be great if anything like that came off. I'd love to play for Wales," said the 29-year-old former Cornish Pirates player who has settled in Cardiff Bay.

Bearman believes the Dragons owe the fans something tonight, even if a back injury keeps him out of the final game of the season against Leinster at Rodney Parade.

"We want to put in a big performance, we definitely owe the fans one and not many teams come here and beat us by a lot," he said. "We drew with the Wasps and only lost to Gloucester in the last minute.

"But we have lost some games we should have won, we just haven't crossed the winning post. We've had games won but the decision making has been poor.

"But it'll still be nice to finish the season early for once tonight. "We'll have some proper time off which will benefit everyone.

"The Heineken Cup is where we want to be."