GONZALO Bertranou is determined to turn Rodney Parade from heaven to hell for the Dragons’ opponents next season.

Dean Ryan’s men finish their United Rugby Championship campaign with a clash against the Lions in Newport this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

A lengthy injury list means that the Dragons are underdogs on home soil and defeat would condemn them to a whole season without success at the Parade.

That is despite the backing of a fanatical, long-suffering core of supporters that still head to the stands and terraces to give Pumas international Bertranou a taste of home.

“Playing at Rodney Parade reminds me a little bit of Argentinean fans because they are really passionate,” said the scrum-half, who has never won in Newport.

“It is a small stadium, and it is like being in hell with the fire and flames [as the team run out]. The only thing is that we must play better and get the wins.

“We want Rodney Parade to be a tough place to come and play and teams to not want to come here. That is one of the changes that we must do.

“I love playing at Rodney, the pitch is great and all the staff involved there are doing a great job. The only thing that we must do is get on the pitch and play good rugby.”

South Wales Argus: Dragons scrum-half Gonzalo BertranouDragons scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou

Bertranou has been a huge hit since arriving in February last year and this week it was confirmed that the 28-year-old has signed fresh terms to stay.

The 36-times capped Argentina international will continue to battle for the 9 jersey with Rhodri Williams and Lewis Jones in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.

“I am a person who wants a straight plan and to commit to something, not jumping from club to club,” said the former Jaguares half-back.

“I feel that here is the correct place to stay and try to change the environment and achieve something.

“I’m not going to be silly, we know that it has been a tough season with stops, high and lows, Covid and some injuries plus players coming and going.

“We all know that we have to change, and we all know that we haven’t played our best but we are trying to get better every training session and every match. This is the greatest task that we can have for next season.”