THE Dragons' Celtic Cup team will play Hong Kong in Ebbw Vale at the end of this month in between the senior side's Guinness PRO14 clashes with Irish opposition, writes Chris Kirwan.

The region's A team will head to Eugene Cross Park to face the Asian champions, who are preparing for a World Cup qualifying tournament in Marseille.

The Dragons' senior side travel to Ulster on Friday, October 26 and Connacht on Saturday, November 3. In between those fixtures their Celtic Cup team will lock horns with Hong Kong in Ebbw Vale on Monday, October 29 (kick-off 7.30pm).

Bernard Jackman's men will also face Russia this autumn with the Bears, coached by ex-Dragons boss Lyn Jones, heading to a yet-to-be-confirmed Premiership ground on Friday, November 16.

Jackman said: "We want to tap in to the heritage and history there has been here, with international sides coming to Gwent, and these two fixtures are a chance to bring two games into our region at regional club grounds.

"The Hong Kong game is another opportunity to develop some of our young players that have played in the Celtic Cup, which ends in a couple of weeks.

"The fixture will give another chance to look at our young talent from the region and give them exposure to a different stimulus.

"We hope to have quite a few players involved with Wales in November so we'll need to know who is fit and ready to replace those who are away.

"These two fixtures will give us clarity on who is ready to step up whilst bringing exciting games in to the region."

Hong Kong have plenty of Gwent connections with former Dragons coaches Dai Rees and Leigh Jones on the management team while ex-lock Andrew Hall is in charge of the forwards.

Hong Kong also take on the Crawshays in Neath on Friday, November 2 before heading to France to face Canada, Germany and Kenya for the final place at Japan 2019.

Dragons season ticket holders and under-16s will gain free entry to the game in Ebbw while tickets will cost £5 for adults.