CERI Sweeney, the Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales outside half, has backed Welsh Rugby Union chief David Moffett's view that the Dragons must buy more into regional rugby.

Moffett castigated Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell in the Argus this week for not emphasising the region, a claim strenuously denied by the chairman, and stressed that Newport would never be granted stand alone status while the name Gwent would not be removed from the title of the team.

Now Sweeney, from the rugby hotbed of Pontypridd and a former player with the defunct Celtic Warriors, has come out in support of Moffett.

"The supporters are great when they're singing for you, but I still think there's a bit of the old Newport here," he said. The regional part has has not been bought into by a lot of the supporters. I think they're wrong because it's a region now, Newport still play here and they have their supporters.

"But we're not Newport now, all that's gone. The Ospreys have been the prime example of people buying into a region and that's got to happen here.

"It cannot be associated with Newport Rugby Football Club because it will then distance itself from too many people.

"It's a regional side now and for the whole of Gwent, it can't be just about Newport."

Sweeney also admits he has had difficulties settling at Rodney Parade after his time at Sardis Road. "They're a different breed down here," he claimed. "I was from Pontypridd and everyone there knew everyone else, I only live a few hundred yards from the club, I knew everybody and they all knew me.

"Coming here has been different. I found the fans a bit harsher towards you here, they'd have a bit of a go at you at Pontypridd, but here they're a bit nastier though perhaps that's down to how it's changed as a profession."

Sweeney backs the appointment of Paul Turner as coach when it becomes official after the Dragons season ends. Turner was, like Sweeney, a Wales outside half and could benefit his game.

"I've heard his name being bandied about, he's supposed to be pretty good and into the skills side of things," said Sweeney.

"He's an outside half who played at the top level for years and was very flash, so if he brings something extra to my game that's fine.

"If you can pick up the extra one per cent that can make it difficult for the opposition. Analysis is coming more into everything and it's where you can make big progress with your game.

"It has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride this season with six or seven games at the start, then just when you're putting a few things together you go with Wales when you're not playing as much as you'd like, then it's back with your team before being away for eight weeks with Wales.

"Europe is massive and it's hard when one mistake can get you knocked out, but that's what it's like. Next season we've got to be more ruthless in the way we play and analyse things to make sure we get the most out of it."

Sweeney believes the Dragons can end the season in a blaze of glory by winning the Celtic Cup, thanks to home advantage in tomorrow night's quarter-final against Llanelli Scarlets and again in the semi-final if they win, probably against Neath Swansea Ospreys.

"It's something to aim for, we've got a home draw. I can't see why we can't go all the way and win it," he said.