THE Dragons are offering half-price tickets for NHS staff for their derby clash with the Ospreys on Sunday.

Dean Ryan’s men get their United Rugby Championship campaign under way against their regional rivals from Swansea (kick-off 2pm).

The Dragons played all but one fixture – at Leinster in Dublin in their Rainbow Cup finale – behind closed doors last season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, fans will be back in the stands for the derby against the Ospreys, 569 days after supporters watched the Guinness PRO14 loss to Benetton in March, 2020.

The Dragons hope to boost their crowd by saying thank you to NHS staff for their efforts throughout the pandemic with a 50 per cent discount.

“We appreciate how difficult it has been for our NHS over this time and would like to offer this initiative for match tickets anywhere in the ground for the big season opener,” read a club statement.

NHS staff will have received a discount code by email to use online on the Dragons' website: HERE.

Meanwhile, the Dragons are putting together a tribute to supporters who have died during the pandemic.

“We also appreciate how difficult things have been for our Dragons family during the past 18 months and have missed seeing you at Rodney Parade,” said the club.

“We have been saddened to hear that some of our most dearest supporters have sadly passed during this time too.

“To honour those we have lost, we would like, during our first derby game against Ospreys, to pay our respect by displaying their image before the game on our big screen.”

Email info@dragonsrugby.wales with a picture and the individual’s name, date of birth and when they died.