NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos (pictured) says his region have been handed a 'cracking start' to the new Celtic League campaign.

The Dragons are the side without a fixture on the opening weekend on September 3-5 but the following Saturday they are away to traditional rivals Cardiff Blues (kick-off 5.30pm), followed by league champions Llanelli Scarlets at Rodney Parade the following Friday, September 17 (7.05pm).

Their first non Welsh clash is at Glasgow on Friday, September 24 (7.30pm) before they meet Leinster at home on Friday, October 1 (7.05pm), the times to suit the new TV deal with the BBC and Irish TV channel Setanta Sports.

"To have the first week off could be a good thing," said Marinos, "because it will give us the opportunity maybe to fit in another pre-season game and gain more cohesion as a side and enable us to see where the other sides are.

"At the same time the players will be champing at the bit when the season eventually begins.

"As far as I'm concerned I couldn't think of a better start to the season.

"Whichever way you wrap it up, games against the Blues and the Dragons are traditionally massive matches (last season's clash at Rodney Parade was the Dragons' best attended outside their Heineken Cup fixtures).

"The same goes for the games against the Scarlets and the Ospreys and I know how much the players look forward to them. We did well to win at Cardiff last season which I think was the first time since I've been here and hopefully we can continue in that vein.

"And the Scarlets will come here as champions with us defending a long, unbeaten home record in the league, so that should be some clash.

"I believe everyone, players, management and supporters have bought into regional rugby now and the strength of the Welsh regional teams plus those of the other countries make the Celtic League a very strong league.

"The players certainly see the benefits and advantages of it and I think rugby supporters will turn up in greater numbers this season knowing they can watch the top players in Europe week in, week out."