AS players we try to focus on our jobs and ignore the politics of rugby, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that these are worrying and unsettling times for Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.

Since plans to get new investment were announced last year we’ve just left it in the hands of the bigwigs and hoped for positive news.

With no individual backers, it seemed that a productive path was being forged with the announcement of the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposed deal.

Newport RFC share-holders’ concerns about the agreement for the future were understandable… yet the feeling of animosity (from some quarters) between two teams that share the same home is slightly bizarre.

I did read in the Argus last week that Martyn Hazell said there is no other option, that it’s the WRU deal or we will go bust. He is somebody in the know and if that’s the only way for us all to survive then surely that is the logical answer?

If those in the know say that the only way for both the Dragons and Newport to be sustainable is to go with the WRU deal then surely we have to listen to them?

With rugby now not just being a game but a business, finances dictate the future of all professional sport and with no investment for either club, there will be no rugby at Rodney Parade whether it be in Dragons or Newport jerseys.

My father was there for the famous victory over the All Blacks and first took me to watch Newport in the Argus Stand when I had started playing the game 20 years ago.

I am extremely proud of the 143-year history and have lived in Newport town centre for the majority of my life.

I was a season ticket holder supporting the club before and after the years of Percy Montgomery and Gary Teichmann playing for the Black and Ambers.

People would be very much mistaken if they were to question my loyalty to the Newport cause and, having both played for the club on many occasions and coached them, I very much hope the Black and Ambers remain and prosper.

However, the idea of them being able to survive alone is unfortunately unrealistic. All I do hope is that there is a solution that presents itself so that both clubs are benefitting from the deal and can continue to be at Rodney Parade.

Even with all this going on, the game last Friday was a proud occasion for me, running out against Ulster for my 200th Dragons appearance, it’s just a shame that we couldn’t quite get the win.

We played with great spirit and pushed a quality Ulster side all the way, it’s just that accuracy at key moments let us down again.

But it was still an emotional night and it was nice to receive plenty of messages to mark my 200th appearance; I’ve been lucky to have worn the jersey for 11 years and enjoy plenty of good memories along with some frustration.

I’ve hit a few milestones this season, going past Steve ‘Jabba’ Jones’ appearance record, hitting 150 starts and now the 200 appearances.

Hopefully I’ve got a few years left in me yet and I can set a total that I’m sure quite a few of our talented youngsters will target!

We’ve got four more games to go this season and after a rest this weekend we’ll all be ready to get to work on Monday towards what is a big game for us at Zebre a week tomorrow.