Dragons to play next 2 games in Cardiff

Dragons are moving three home games to Principality Stadium, starting against Ulster on Saturday, 13 March.

The decision comes because of concerns about the Rodney Parade surface, with recent rugby and football postponements at the ground.

Newport County have already played a League Two football game at the Cardiff City Stadium this week and will play a further game in Cardiff later this month.

The Principality Stadium is the home of the Welsh Rugby Union, who own Dragons.

Dragons said in a statement: "Despite the outstanding efforts of our ground staff at Rodney Parade, the maintenance of the pitch has become increasingly difficult due to adverse weather conditions and fixture congestion, for both Dragons and Newport County AFC, in an unprecedented season."

They added: "The three-week period - with Newport County also moving to an alternate venue - will give the Rodney Parade pitch a chance to both recover and for maintenance work to be carried out before Dragons return in April."

The Gwent region have three home league Pro14 matches against Ulster, Glasgow and Edinburgh this month and host Northampton Saints in the Challenge Cup last 16 on the first weekend of April.

Dragons last played at the showpiece venue in the Welsh capital in April 2019, when they defeated Scarlets in Pro14's Judgement Day event.

Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams said: "Having recently hosted both Ireland and England for the Guinness Six Nations, the stadium is Covid secure and is ready to go."

Newport County boss Michael Flynn described Rodney Parade's pitch as the "worst" he had ever seen before two of his side's games were moved to Cardiff City Stadium.

The Principality Stadium, Wales' national rugby ground, is back in use for sport after being turned into the Dragon's Heart Hospital as part of the fight against coronavirus.