NEWPORT Gwent Dragons hope to take the LV= Cup on tour to Ebbw Vale this season.

The region would like to take their games in the development tournament away from Rodney Parade and believe that Eugene Cross Park fits the bill.

One of this season’s home fixtures against London Wasps on the weekend of November 15 or Northampton on the weekend of January 24 could be shifted from Rodney Parade.

If it is not possible to get things in place for 2012/13 then the Dragons would like to play in the north of the M4 the following campaign.

“I am still interested in taking games out and about and it could be done this season,” said chief executive Chris Brown.

“We are actively looking at taking LV= Cup games away from Rodney Parade and that ambition is not dimmed by the fixtures.

“The floodlights were a problem at Ebbw Vale but that is no longer an issue and it would be an ideal location.

“It is important to go out in the region, as was showed by the success of our new jersey launch at Caldicot Castle.

“I believe that taking a LV= Cup game up there would be a huge success and hope that we can work things out to do so.

“Hopefully we will soon be able to confirm it one way or the other for this season.”

After making a successful bid to the Heads of the Valleys fund, Ebbw Vale installed a new floodlights system at their council-owned home that meets television broadcasting requirements.

An added benefit of going to Eugene Cross Park would be a reduction on the strain on the Rodney Parade pitch, which is also home to Newport RFC and Newport County and will be used for around 60 fixtures.

Last season’s home games against Northampton and the Ospreys at Rodney Parade attracted 5,312 and 4,607 spectators respectively.