COLEG Gwent students used their engineering skills to create a piece of art for the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Fabrication and welding and vehicle body repair students at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport Campus were commissioned to create a metalwork dragon for the Newport Gwent Dragons after members of the club saw some of the students’ work during a visit to the campus.

The engineering students created the dragon over a 12-week period from stainless steel, copper and brass, before it made its debut during half time of the match between the Newport Gwent Dragons and the Llanelli Scarlets on September 20 at Rodney Parade.

The dragon, which is now on display in the Newport Gwent Dragons community office at Rodney Parade, was given a bright red finish by vehicle body repair students, who developed skills including pattern development, plasma cutting and soldering whilst working on the project.

Mike Sage, community manager at Newport Gwent Dragons said: “It is a magnificent piece of work, one which both students and staff should be very proud of.

“I know we at the Dragons are immensely overwhelmed by the effort and care taken by the students to produce such a masterpiece and it is one that will be on display in our community office for many a year to come.”

The dragon seemed to bring the Newport Gwent Dragons luck as the team won their match 23-16.

Fabrication and welding Lecturer Darren Brooks said: “It was an honour for us to present the dragon to the club, and we had a great time at the match.

“Coleg Gwent students were delighted to have been invited to make the dragon for the club and local community, and the finished sculpture was a credit to their hard work and dedication.”