WATCHING A WELSH DERBY AT RODNEY PARADE

We travelled to Newport to see the Dragons take on Cardiff while there are still four Welsh rugby regions...

- Words JOSH GRAHAM / Images RACHEL SOH

WHEN THE first person I asked, “What is the best thing about Newport?” replied “Leaving”, I feared I may have made a mistake making the pilgrimage to Rodney Parade.

To be frank, just arriving at all was a relief after a series of train cancellations at London Paddington left our Friday night jaunt to Wales in serious jeopardy. Once on board, it was smooth sailing. All being well, it should only take you one hour 38.

And while it’s easy in theory to get there, people didn’t seem to understand why I was so keen to see Dragons take on Cardiff.

Firstly, we didn’t know how long the opportunity would remain as England’s former fitness guru Dave Reddin was keen to chop the number of Welsh regions in half in his new guise as the WRU’s director of rugby and elite performance. The Dragons, who won two matches across all competitions last season, were sweating on their existence along with the Ospreys, Scarlets and today's opponents Cardiff (they ditched the Blues moniker in 2021, if you weren't already aware).

However, after our trip the WRU revealed it will only trim one →region by 2027, with one of Ospreys or Scarlets at risk of the chop.

Nonetheless, as they say, it's best to strike while the iron's hot. Additionally, Rodney Parade should be on any sporting fan's bucket list as a true institution of a stadium. Opened in 1877, it's owned by the Dragons and also used by tenants Newport County, making it the second oldest venue in the EFL.

And who doesn't like a derby? The Gallagher PREM has gone as far as to introduce an entire derby round to spruce up its fixtures.