NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Chris Anderson decides his future this week, and he is expected to inform chief executive Andy Marinos that he wants to take up the option of the second year on his contract.

Anderson has had to consider whether he can be away from his family in Australia a second year - his wife returns Down Under today after a second spell here.

Anderson, who already knows his decision, is believed to be staying, though that decision will not be universally popular, a record of six defeats in the last nine games not helping. First decision to be made involves players coming out of contract and whether they will stay or be released.

Then areas that need strengthening will have to be identified before finding out which players are available and whether they can be afforded which could be a problem in view of Tony Brown's impending departure.

A board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow when key matters will have to be addressed. It is likely to be one of the last attended by Brown, the benefactor who has done so much for Newport, the Dragons and Rodney Parade but is widely expected to step down, for good this time, at the end of the season, if not earlier.

He has been conspicuous by his absence this season, rarely attending a match and having little to say.

He is weary of constant battles with the WRU, he is hardly a fan of regional rugby and he no longer has the appetite for travelling hundreds of miles along the M4 from his Guildford base.

He will be a sad loss, virtually irreplaceable in these days of professional rugby. His departure will be lamented by many thousands of fans.