NEWPORT rugby fans have been given a dramatic opportunity to change the name of the Gwent Dragons -- in a year's time.

In a shock turnaround, fans who buy Gwent season tickets will be able to choose the permanent name of the regional side in a ballot during the autumn.

Newport Rugby Club have sold nearly 1,000 season tickets so far in the semi-professional all-Welsh premier division whereas Gwent Dragons have sold only a few hundred, though in a shorter period.

On that basis, the Newport name is likely to be in the title from next year and survive long-term at the highest level after all.

It is believed that the poor response from the Gwent public to buying season tickets has influenced the decision.

It represents a huge climbdown by sections of the Gwent Dragons - only a fortnight after the launch in a blaze of publicity.

"In response to overwhelming req-uests from their supporters, Newport Rugby Club have reached agreement with Gwent Dragons to enable supporters to choose the permanent name of the Gwent regional rugby side," says a club statement released to the Argus today.

"It has been agreed that every season ticket holder will be balloted during the season on what the long-term name of the regional side should be.

"The chosen name would be adopted from the start of the 2004/5 season.

"Furthermore, to enable Newport supporters to participate in this ballot, a joint-season ticket will be made available for the coming season.

"Joint-season ticket holders will be able to enjoy all 29 home games in the premier league, the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League. Prices for this bumper package will start at around £150. "Supporters who have already bought either New-port or Gwent season tickets will be able to upgrade to a joint-season ticket at a concessionary rate.

"Full details of this will be announced shortly."

Newport chairman David Watkins (pictured) said, "This is the great opportunity that the Newport supporters have been asking for.

"Not only do the supporters now have a legitimate say in what the name of the regional team in their area should be, but with the introduction of the joint- season ticket they have a fantastic value-for-money package to watch a feast of rugby at Rodney Parade in the coming seasons.

"I sincerely hope that supporters will get behind both the Gwent Dragons and Newport Rugby Clubs by supporting this initiative, and by doing so play an active part in ensuring the long term future and shaping the direction of the highest levels of club and regional rugby being staged at Newport."