NEWPORT Gwent Dragons go from strength to strength – leading Welsh team in the Magners League, second in their group in the Heineken Cup and now winners against Sale to get their LV Cup campaign off to a winning start.

They continue to surprise all the pundits, many of whom still disbelieve what is happening at Rodney Parade and beyond, reminding me that it is only November and some still predicting they will end up as fourth Welsh team in the league.

Well, if they carry on like this that will have to cease, for not only are the Dragons winning – they haven’t lost at Rodney Parade since January eleven games ago – they are now blooding any number of youngsters.

Head coach Paul Turner has always done that anyway. Look at Ashley Smith, Jason Tovey, Lewis Evans and Dan Lydiate as just a few examples.

But now come the next generation, for against Sale last Friday no fewer than five players who were 21 and under fought out the final quarter against Guinness Premiership Sale – Toby Faletau, given his bow against Edinburgh at Murrayfield the week before, fellow back row youngster James Thomas, outside half Adam Greendale and centre Matthew Pewtner.

And they joined another teenager in Dan Watchurst who became the ninth prop to appear for the Dragons in ten games this season, such has been their incredible injury list in the position, and 21-year-old on-loan prop Pat Palmer.

All this shows what remarkable progress the Dragons are making. And it appears things could be moving forward in a number of administrative and coaching areas as well.

So for all the publicity given to the other three regions plus the way they are lauded and rated on a wider front, just watch out. For the Dragons really could be on the march.