THE Dragons will return to Eugene Cross Park at the end of the month to play a final pre-season friendly against Guinness PRO14 rivals Glasgow.

Bernard Jackman’s side enjoy their first hit-outs of the summer this weekend after splitting their squad for friendlies against Montpellier in Aveyron on Friday evening and Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

They travel to Devon to face English champions Exeter on Saturday, August 19 but the new boss has arranged an extra encounter against another European heavyweight that will be playing in the Champions Cup in the coming campaign.

The Dragons will welcome Glasgow to Ebbw Vale on the afternoon of Friday, August 25 (kick-off 2pm) to ensure that they are in good shape for their PRO14 opener against Leinster the following weekend.

Entry will be FREE for all supporters.

“I felt that we were a little bit short for preparation,” said Jackman from France, where he is putting his squad through their paces in a week-long training camp.

“Having two games this weekend means that we have stretched ourselves a little, having to split our squad into two with some players returning on Friday morning to play Northampton.

“This game against Glasgow is perfect because we can go to Ebbw Vale on the Friday, have the two days on the weekend to recover well and come in on the Monday fresh and ready to prepare for Leinster.”

The Dragons beat a star-studded Northampton side – then the English champions – at a rain-lashed Eugene Cross Park in 2014 after the game was moved because Rodney Parade was being used as a police base for the Nato summit.

Tries at the death by lock Cory Hill and wing Tom Prydie ensured a 27-25 triumph in front of 2,763 against a Saints line-up that featured George North, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Luther Burrell.

Entry to the match is free for all supporters but fans must collect a paper ticket before arrival from the Rodney Parade ticket office or Eugene Cross Park.

Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies said: “We’re pleased to back up our stated intent of wider engagement in the region with the announcement that our first home game of the new season will be at Eugene Cross Park.

“This match will give supporters an early opportunity to see our new players and coaches up close and personal, and with free access for all of the family we hope that there’ll be plenty of interest.”

Ebbw Vale chairman Jon Jones said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Dragons back to Eugene Cross Park.

“Following an exciting match against Northampton Saints in 2014, we are pleased to be hosting yet another friendly for our region.

“We look forward to meeting Glasgow Warriors and hope that both teams put on an exciting display, similarly to when the Dragons last played here.”