NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will open their Guinness PRO12 campaign against Connacht Rugby at the Sportsground on Friday, September 4 (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Rodney Parade region will return to Newport to take on Italian team Zebre on Friday, September 11 (7.05pm).

The Dragons will look to extend their winning streak over Leinster as they travel to Dublin to take on the Irish outfit at the RDS on Saturday, October 3 (2.30pm).

The following week the Men of Gwent travel to Scotstoun Stadium to take on Glasgow Warriors on Friday, October 16 (7.35pm).

Lyn Jones’ men then host Benetton Treviso on Friday, October 23rd (7.15pm) before their first Welsh derby of the season as they travel to Parc Y Scarlets on Friday, October 30 (6pm).

With the following two weekends taken up by the European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures, the next PRO12 match takes place at BT Murrayfield against Edinburgh on Friday, November 27 (7.35pm).

The Dragons will then play host to Munster in Round 9, on Sunday, December 6 (2.30pm).

Over the Christmas period they take on Cardiff Blues in their usual festive derby on December 27 (3pm) at Rodney Parade.

This is shortly followed by a New Years Day match against the Ospreys (2pm) at the Liberty Stadium.

The last fixture that has been confirmed is Round 12 and that is to be played against Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Friday, January 8 (7.35pm).

Before the rugby begins with a friendly against Nottingham in Ystrad Mynach on Friday, August 14 (7pm), the Dragons will don their cricket whites to take on Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division One side Usk CC in Usk this weekend.

The annual Twenty20 charity match is in aid of St David’s Hospice Care and Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Society and admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children.

In addition to the cricket match, which starts at 3pm, there will be a junior match (1pm) as well as a bar and BBQ and a cake stall.

The Dragons squad will be captained by Jason Tovey and also features Rynard Landman, Rhys Buckley, Angus O’Brien, Luc Jones, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, James Benjamin, Geraint Rhys Jones, James Thomas, Brok Harris and commercial director Pete Grzonka.