DRAGONS director Martyn Hazell today urges supporters throughout Gwent to get behind the regional team now that peace has broken out.

He encourages fans from Newport and the Gwent Valleys to turn up in their thousands at Rodney Parade on Sunday when Newport Gwent Dragons take on former champions Ulster in their first Heineken Cup match.

And he pleads with potential sponsors to get on board and support the Dragons as well.

Hazell (pictured above) refuses to get involved in another slanging match with Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive David Moffett who yesterday again accused the previous board of being a 'shambles' and taking the organisation into administration within six months which was 'unacceptable behaviour.'

But he also pleaded with rugby fans to get behind the Dragons because it was in the 'last chance saloon.'

Hazell agreed, admitting "It wasn't as it should have been off the field and it was a disaster, though it was not all of our own making.

"We made mistakes, but the past is the past, administration is the past. This is where we are, we are looking forward and need support.

"We need supporters to do what they promised and support us. Where are all the Newport supporters who were meant to be coming? They whined about the name and the venue, they've got that now.

"But we need support from the whole of Gwent, they wanted a Gwent regional side and they've got it.

"The first big game is on Sunday against Ulster and I would urge people to come down, have a few beers and tell their friends about it.

"We can beat Ulster if we play like we did against Connacht, the Dragons can come out as victors. We do need bums on seats and we're hoping for a crowd of 5,000 against Ulster. We need support and sponsorship as never before."

l Dragons coach Mike Ruddock, captain Andy Marinos and chief executive David Jenkins were all at the Heineken Cup launch at Twickenham today.

Ruddock has to decide whether to recall Marinos, who has been out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, and also whether to start with returning quartet Percy Montgomery, Rod Snow, Michael Owen and Ross Beattie.

Ulster and Ireland outside half David Humphreys is expected to recover from the calf injury which kept him out of last Friday's match against Borders.