CHAIRMAN Martyn Hazell is confident Newport Gwent Dragons’ future is a bright one after the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions finally set up a new body to run the game.

The two sides yesterday reached a full agreement on the establishment of the Professional Regional Game Board (PRGB) to work together to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of regional rugby in Wales.

The PRGB has been formed after a damning report at the end of last year warned some of the four regions – which also includes Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets – may not survive their financial plight in the current difficult economic climate and criticised “poor management”.

The agreement on the format and remit of the PRGB was confirmed at its first meeting in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams was installed as the independent, non-voting chairman of the body which consists of five members from the WRU, one from each of the four regions and one representative from Regional Rugby Wales.

The agreed remit of the PRGB includes regional player contracts and recruitment policy, academy structures and associated player development, the marketing of regional rugby, collective regional revenue opportunities and resource management, as well as regional financial planning.

The first full meeting of the body was attended by Dragons boss Hazell and other regional representatives in Peter Thomas (Blues), Nigel Short (Scarlets), and Roger Blyth (Ospreys), Stuart Gallacher (Regional Rugby Wales chief executive) and members of the WRU, including group chief executive Roger Lewis and chairman David Pickering.

Hazell was happy with how it went: “It was a positive meeting and it was good to get together and look at ways of helping each other. “Times are difficult for us and they are difficult for them but I think the WRU are handling things well. “It was only a short meeting, but at least we aren’t throwing things at each other any more.”

On any lingering doubts about the Dragons’ sustainability, Hazell replied: “Our future is not in doubt and we are in good stead. “We are short of money, like all the other regions are, but our demise was never mentioned. “All we need now is a couple of results under our belts.”

WRU chief Lewis agreed: “Our first meeting was very constructive indeed. I am confident it will be an active and meaningful forum through which positive changes can be achieved.

“Our aim is to ensure we use our combined expertise and knowledge to develop the right systems and structures, adopt best practice and identify synergies of mutual benefit.

"The creation of the PRGB is testimony to our determination to work together in the best interests of the regional game in Wales.”

Regional Rugby Wales chief Gallacher was also upbeat: “All four regions have made significant progress towards establishing a sustainable business platform over the last two years and hope to be able to build on that work with the support of the WRU.

"Our first meeting was certainly constructive, so we look forward to the board providing a real and tangible contribution to the goal of sustainable and competitive professional rugby in Wales.”