NEWPORT Gwent Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies admits it’s touch-and-go as to whether the Welsh Rugby Union’s takeover deal will get the green light this evening, writes Chris Kirwan.

Newport RFC shareholders will meet at Rodney Parade to vote on whether to sell their historic home to the WRU in a deal that will also see the governing body take control of the region.

The meeting starts in the Bisley Suite at 7pm and, after the issues are briefly debated one last time, there will be a vote with 75 per cent needing to give the go-ahead.

If the agreement is rubber stamped then the WRU will take over the nine-acre Rodney Parade site and call the shots for the Dragons with a targeted completion date of July 1.

If the deal is rejected then the Dragons board have warned that they will have to cease trading “almost immediately” as the company would be unable to pay its creditors – meaning the end of rugby at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons board will meet on Wednesday and while Davies is urging shareholders to vote yes, he expects a tight vote.

“It (75 per cent) is a high bar and I still can’t be sure of how it’s going to go. The only certainty I’ve got is that it’s the right thing to do and the resolution is the only option available,” said the chief executive.

“I’ve been in the middle of it all and we have explored everything and negotiated hard. We are where we are in that respect and I am confident that we’ve got the information out there so that people can understand the decision.

“I am certain it’s the right thing to do but it’s now over to the shareholders.”

The proposed agreement will see the WRU pay £2.85million for the site with Newport RFC receiving £600,000 and assurances from the WRU that they can play at Rodney Parade while it is home to a professional side, with that right being free of rent or other fees for the first 10 years.

If deal is give the green light then directors Martyn Hazell and Tony Brown will write off the majority of loans for around £1.5million and £3million respectively. If the deal rejected then they have stated they will call in their debts.