NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are to kick-off the new season with a special game against a Premier Select XV made of players from all the Premier Division sides in their region.

The pathfinder fixture will be the Dragons' first in the region away from Rodney Parade and will be staged at Pandy Park, Cross Keys, on Friday, August 13 (7.15pm).

The Premier clubs have already agreed on a provisional squad of 41 players for the game which will be reduced after training evenings on August 4 and August 11

The Select XV coaches will be Pontypool's Steve Jones, Caerphilly's Mark Ring and Bedwas pair Ian Gardener and Steve Law with WRU development officer Nigel Way acting as team manager.

The game originates from an initiative by Dragons' new chief executive Andy Marinos and though designed as a meaningful pre-season warm-up, it is hoped it will create greater harmony within the region's clubs and with fans.

"All the signs are that we are now becoming recognised as a regional entity, which is exactly what we are," said Dragons team manager Jim McCreedy

"I think it's important to show that everyone is on board with the region. There had been maybe a feeling the Dragons hadn't taken the region on in the proper manner.

"We feel this is a good way of giving the talent within Gwent an opportunity to play against the regional side.

"Probably there was a perception among some people last year that there were some players within the Premier set-up who would have done a good job within the regional side and this is an ideal opportunity for those players to show that this is the case.

"It's also an ideal opportunity for players to be identified who can act as support to the current Dragons squad in case of injuries etc. or to be fast-tracked into the Dragons set-up."

Way commented: "It's excellent this game is being played in the region and I'm sure it will help increase support for the Dragons.

"It also gives all the players involved the opportunity to test themselves and show their ability."

The Dragons have only one other pre-season friendly arranged at the moment, a clash with Zurich Premiership side Northampton at Franklin's Gardens on August 21, so are certain to field a strong side against the Select XV with many of their new signings from the now defunct Celtic Warriors.

"We are looking at the possibility of playing another game or maybe organising a weekend camp. That will be a decision for the coaches," added McCreedy.

Select XV squad (provisional): A McLoughlin (Newport), J Rowles (Ebbw Vale), W Kershaw-Naylor (Newport), N Hill, S Sankala (both Bedwas), S Horner (Ebbw Vale), G Bowen (Newbridge), R Williams (Cross Keys), G Chapman (Newport), J Welch (Bedwas), K Owen (Ebbw Vale), S Mitchell (Cross Keys), D Griffiths (Newport), S Thomas (Caerphilly), J Ireland (Newport), O Jones (Pontypool), R Phillips (Bedwas), I George (Cross Keys), G Robinson, I Evans (both Newport), J Salter, J Tilley (both Bedwas), M Workman (Caerphilly), D Hudd (Cross Keys), G Davies (Ebbw Vale), M Veater (Newport), P Jones (Caerphilly), M Peard (Newbridge), D Cox, C Trayherne (both Pontypool), S Waldron, R Jones (both Newport), C Hill (Bedwas), T Morris (Cross Keys), A Edwards (Caerphilly), R Dale (Newport), G Lucas (Pontypool).