NEWPORT Gwent Drag-ons development manager David Rees, pictured, believes the Dragons are perfectly placed to benefit from the £3.66m project announced by the WRU and Welsh Assembly to support elite players in Wales.

"We've got 10 under-18 internationals, five at under-19 level going to the World Cup and three in the under-21 squad, so we can be more forward looking in the Dragons region and we can focus on all these players and end up being self financing," said Rees, also one of the Wales Under-21 coaches.

"We can make sure these boys are coming through to play for the Dragons senior side in the future. If we can get five of these boys to play for the Dragons in three or four years we won't have to buy players in and we can become self sustaining.

"We will not be so restricted now with this funding. We are trying to produce professional people for a professional game and this supports it even further.

"We can expand it with video analysis, nutrition and generally preparing them better so that players should come through between 19-21 rather than at, say 24, ready for the Celtic League and international rugby."

Rees stressed the Welsh Rugby Union will continue to run age group sides from 18-20 levels, but the greater support for the elite end will benefit the regions and Wales.

"This has stalled and stuttered, so I'm chuffed we've finally got the European funding through," he said, referring to the £1.62m of Objective One funds within the prject.

"This is a huge step forward for the Academy and development end of the game so that we can start to formalise the setting up of the Academy now as well as help fund two posts in Gwent for Acadamey manager Gareth Nicholas and fitness coach Phil Ramsey.

"It takes the financial burden away and centralises the approach. It was hugely needed, we've got the base in place now we can bring in skill coaches, nutritionists, video analysis which England get as normal.

"We can increase the professional environment and support maybe 12 Academy members - they could be from Newport HSOB, Blaina, anywhere. We've now got a formal and central approach."