THE Dragons will start their United Rugby Championship preparations with a home friendly against Hartpury University.

Dai Flanagan’s men have a pair of tough tune-ups across the border when taking on Bristol and Bath in September.

They will work their way towards those fixtures with a Rodney Parade date with Hartpury, who finished fifth in the English Championship last season.

The fixture on Saturday, August 31 (kick-off 2.30pm) is free for season ticket holders.

Head coach Flanagan is likely to use all available members of his squad before ramping things up against Bristol at Clifton on Friday, September 6 and Bath at the Rec on Friday, September 13.

The Super Rygbi Cymru season – featuring Newport, Ebbw Vale and Pontypool – doesn’t get under way until September 14, so younger members of the Dragons squad are likely to be among those facing Hartpury.

Flanagan’s side, who finished one from bottom last season, start a crucial first block of the URC with a home derby against the Ospreys on Saturday, September 21.

Tickets for the Hartpury clash are on sale from eticketing.co.uk/dragons/ priced at £10 for adults, £5 for young adults (17-25) and concessions (60 plus) and juniors ( under-16s) for £1.