TONY Brown is to provide financial backing to the Newport Gwent Dragons for the next two-and-a-half years until the end of season 2005-06.

As part of his renewed backing he will help fund the Academy system which is based at Cwmbran, ensuring the best crop of youngsters in the county and beyond progress into the senior set-up.

He also pledges to help the full Dragons team become a major force in Europe.

And for the entire 30-month period the team will be called Newport Gwent Dragons, which will also be the name on the front of the jerseys in addition to the main Bisley company which is owned by Mr Brown.

He revealed his plans at a Press conference at Newport Rugby Club today, along with the official welcome to new signing Bobby Skinstad, the former South Africa captain, for the rest of the season.

It all comes as a massive lift for the Dragons and rugby in the whole county on the eve of tomorrow's big Heineken Cup clash against Leicester.

"We are all aware of the problems with the birth of regional rugby in Wales, more so in Gwent than elsewhere. Some have been well documented, some haven't, but I now believe these problems have been resolved," said Mr Brown in an exclusive interview with the Argus.

"I want to acknowledge the tremendous job Mike Ruddock and the squad have done this season. No-one gave them a hope, but their performance so far has been remarkable.

"However, if the region is going to succeed the most important thing it needs now is a degree of security and stability.

"To help them achieve this I am prepared to put my full support behind Newport Gwent Dragons until 2006. Basically I have set myself three objectives over the next two years.

"To work with Mike Ruddock to build on what he has achieved and see the squad strengthened in order to become a major European competitor.

"To bring back the full Newport support that we had previously and ask that they should put their wholehearted support behind Newport Gwent Dragons.

"To reach into the whole region of Gwent so that the Dragons are fully representative of the whole area.

"I can also confirm that the name will be Newport Gwent Dragons which will be on the jerseys as well.

"Top class rugby is essential to the whole region, but it needs everybody to contribute if we are to achieve this, so I hope everyone can put any differences they may have behind them and throw their whole weight behind the Dragons.

"The opportunities are huge if we grasp them. If we were to fail I think history won't forgive us. "There is a huge amount of talent in the area and I wholeheartedly back the regional Academy set-up so our best youngsters can rise to the top.

"Equally our community development programme is the best in Wales and among the best in the UK, and it is essential that is continued and built on.

"I will give financial support to provide stability at the top and my involvement means a commitment to the new regional structure which will mean giving support to the regional Academy."