THE Dragons will start their preparations for the 2022/23 season with an Anglo-Welsh clash against Bristol at Rodney Parade.

The Bears, who won the last meeting between the sides in the 2020 Challenge Cup quarter-finals at Ashton Gate, will head over the Severn Bridge to Newport on Friday, August 26 (kick-off 7pm).

It will be the first action for Dean Ryan’s side ahead of the new United Rugby Championship campaign, which is set to start at the end of September.

The Bristol fixture is the first of three friendlies lined up by the Dragons, who are set to entertain another English Premiership opponent and also play one game away.

Ryan has had a busy recruitment drive and the Bears clash could provide a first glimpse of the nine new signings.

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The Dragons have signed props Rob Evans (Scarlets) and Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), hooker Bradley Roberts (Ulster) locks George Nott (London Irish) and Sean Lonsdale (Exeter), fly-half JJ Hanrahan (Clermont), centre Max Clark (Bath) and outside back Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders) while fly-half/full-back Angus O’Brien is returning from the Scarlets.

The Bristol friendly and the other home warm-up are free for Dragons season ticket holders.

Ryan's men played two tune-ups last year when edged out by Leicester at Welford Road before beating Wasps in Coventry.

Alas, that didn't translate to a strong season with the Dragons winning just two games when finishing second from bottom in the URC.