Dragons RFC

History of Dragons RFC

The Dragons RFC side was formed in 2003, when regional rugby union teams were first introduced in Wales. At the time, they were known as the Newport Gwent Dragons. In fact, the team’s name has changed several times over the years. Although they started life as Newport Gwent Dragons, they became The Dragons in 2017. They then officially rebranded to their current name, Dragons RFC, in 2022. 

In 2003, the Newport Gwent Dragons team entered the Celtic League and started life with a bang. In their first ever season, they finished third in the competition. The year after, they came fourth. 

However, since then, the Dragons RFC side has been unable to replicate those early highs and they regularly finished towards the bottom of the Celtic League, Pro12 and Pro14 tables over the years. 

Since the 2021-22 season, the team has competed in the United Rugby Championship. Sadly, they’ve faced the same fate in this competition and they finished at the very bottom of the table in each of the past two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25). Last season, they only won one match. 

Despite their domestic struggles, the team has experienced some success in European competitions over the years. Although they’ve never made it past the pools stage of the European Rugby Champions Cup, they have featured in the tournament on eight occasions. Similarly, the side has featured at the semi-final stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup three times. Sadly though, they’ve never made it to the final. 

Although the team has never claimed a piece of silverware, several giants of Welsh rugby have represented Dragons RFC over the years. For example, five Dragons RFC players have been called up to play for the British and Irish Lions while playing for the team. These are Michael Owen, Gareth Cooper, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau and Cory Hill. 

Think the good times will return for Dragons RFC? Find out right here.