Revolution

New Wales flanker Jason Forster will be the new captain with consistent scrum half Gareth Baber vice-captain.

Leigh Jones is, as expected, the new forwards coach and David Rees, who succeeds him as Newport coach, will also be the Dragons academy development manager.

Prop Rod Snow, who is about to start his tenth season at Rodney Parade, has been granted a testimonial.

The whole operation will be run by a new company called Rodney Parade Limited, headed up by new chief executive Andy Marinos, supported by new commercial director Gethin Jenkins, a former member of the International Rugby Board.

Team manager remains Jim McCreedy, starting his fifth year with as many coaches, while the training, physio, medical and analysis staff remain unchanged.

"This is all very exciting for the Dragons," said Marinos, who gave the reasons behind going for Anderson (whose work permit has come through), the former Australia rugby league World Cup winning coach and international winger though it will be his first experience in rugby union.

"It was important we had someone who could take us to the next level of competition and turn us into a consistently good side," he said.

"Credentials for me were that the coach must first be a good man manager, then l continued from back page bring in discipline and a more professional environment, be used to winning as a coach at the highest level and be capable of dealing with the high profile egos that go with every rugby team.

"And he should be a coach who loves winning and has done it often enough and who knows how best to prepare a team mentally to win, especially in those big games.

"It is evident from Chris' CV that he is a person who as a player and coach has competed and played at the highest level and won more often than not. "Having been coached by Chris I was aware first hand of what he brings to the table, and even though it may be at league the dynamics are the same - we have to retain possession, break down defences and score tries and also ensure we stop the opposition from playing with a solid defence when we don't have the ball.

"Realising Chris' lack of experience in the union game, it was important to surround him with assistants who could work with him. Leigh Jones is a respected forwards coach, Dai Rees an innovative backs coach and Jim McCreedy a steadying influence who has been an integral part of Rodney Parade for three decades.

"Defence has become a huge part of the game now and that is where I believe Chris will build on the platform Clive Griffiths established and progress us further as a side.

"As an ex-winger Chris has enormous experience with back line play and as more and more teams are now employing league defences there is no better man to work with the backs and create plays to break down defences."

Marinos is also delighted with the acquisition of Rees. "He is a catch for us as he is the new breed of innovative coach Wales is producing," he said.

"He's a coach who has had success with the national U19 and U21 sides.

"As development manager for the academy he will ensure the next generation of Wales internationals come through at the right pace and in a professional environment.

"We view the academy as an important part of who we are as the regional entity, and it is important we provide a big enough carrot for the young players in the region."