NEWPORT rugby officials have been called before the Welsh Rugby Union to explain the changes they have made in the regional set-up.

The side was renamed Newport & Gwent Dragons and Newport benefactor Tony Brown returned to the fold after Ebbw Vale chairman Marcus Russell resigned.

Within hours of the exclusive Argus story, fans queued at Rodney Parade for joint Newport/Dragons tickets and telephones hardly stopped ringing. Over 500 tickets were sold by today.

Dragons chief executive David Jenkins says a normal meeting is scheduled this week with the WRU and stresses the regional status remains.

But it is understood the WRU are unhappy and there is a risk the region could lose over £300,000 funding because it could be seen as stand alone.

Meanwhile, Paul Turner, the former Newport, Newbridge and Wales outside half, now backs coach with Harlequins, calls on Steve Hansen to resign as Wales coach after Saturday's debacle against England's second team. He also accuses Hansen of giving caps like confetti.

"They shouldn't have appointed him in the beginning. There's a lot of rugby knowledge in Wales, a lot of solid Welsh rugby people have been ignored," said Turner.

"This guy thinks we come from Serbia or Poland and he gives a lot of caps away. I worked hard for my caps 12 years ago, now they are handed out like confetti.

"I don't agree with the view that you shouldn't get rid of the coach before the World Cup, it could be the best thing.

"As it is, the only chance of beating minnows in the World Cup is for Hansen to go. Change the emphasis, do something.

"There is a lot of history in the clubs, and we're a nation who try things. But I left 20 minutes from the end on Saturday, I'd had enough, I felt ashamed.

"I saw things happen that would tear your hair out. England weren't that clever, I've never been to Cardiff before when Swing Low Sweet Chariot was sung after 20 minutes, it was embarrassing."