THE Dragons will face World Cup-bound Russia at Bedwas’ Bridge Field next month.

As was reported by the Argus on Monday, the Rodney Parade region have set up a reunion with former coaches Lyn Jones and Shaun Connor, who are part of the Bears’ management.

Russia will head to Bedwas on Friday, November 16 (kick-off 7.30pm) in between their Tests against Namibia in Krasnodar and Japan at Gloucester’s Kingsholm.

Bridge Field has been chosen for the fixture on a weekend of no Guinness PRO14 action, meaning that head coach Bernard Jackman is likely to pick a strong side ahead of the league meeting with Edinburgh.

It will be a second game against international opposition for the Dragons, although their encounter with Hong Kong in Ebbw Vale on Monday, October 29 (kick-off 7.30pm) will feature their Celtic Cup team as it is between the PRO14 games against Ulster in Belfast and Connacht in Galway.

Jackman said: “The Russia game in Bedwas is a week before we play Edinburgh in the PRO14, following two weekends off, so it will be ideal in the lead up to that match.

“Both Russia and Hong Kong are looking to compete in the Rugby World Cup and we have close links with both nations, with ex-Dragons coaches Leigh Jones and David Rees involved with Hong Kong and Lyn Jones coaching Russia. Shaun Connor is also involved with Russia as well.

“Both games are completely different types of events and opposition than we normally play in the PRO14 or in European competition, so the players are definitely excited by it.

“The majority of our players are homegrown and they’ve come from clubs within the region so it’s good to go back,” he added.

“Grassroots rugby is incredibly important. We, at the professional end, are only a tiny percentage of the overall game and we are sending players back to the Premiership every week, which is a brilliant opportunity for them to go and play.

“To bring two more games under the Dragons umbrella to regional club sides is exciting for everyone.”

The region are familiar with Russian opposition courtesy of being drawn with Enisei-STM twice in the European Challenge Cup, winning three times after being hammered 38-18 in Krasnodar in October, 2016.

Russia took on the Dragons in 2011 as a warm-up encounter for the World Cup in New Zealand, the hosts winning 40-12 and crossing for six tries.

On that occasion the Bears were coached by Kingsley Jones and this time they will be led by Lyn Jones.

The former Dragons boss, who was in the hotseat between 2013 and 2016, was appointed as Russia head coach in August and swiftly appointed the popular Connor, the former fly-half who left his role as Jackman’s backs coach at the end of last season.

Russia are building towards Japan 2019 when they will go up against the hosts, Ireland, Scotland and Samoa.

Tickets for the Dragons versus Russia will be available from the Rodney Parade ticket office from Wednesday for members then on public sale from Monday, October 15.

Season ticket holders get a discount with tickets costing £10 in advance and £15 on the day. For general sale, tickets cost £12 in advance for adults (£15 on the day) and £5 for under-16s.

All tickets are unreserved with limited seating available at the venue on a first come, first served basis.