THE Dragons will follow Newport County AFC’s lead by playing a fixture at Cardiff City Stadium at the end of the month.

The Rodney Parade region will head to the capital to take on Glasgow in the Rainbow Cup on Saturday, May 29 (kick-off 7.35pm). It will be behind closed doors.

The fixture has had to be moved from Newport because the pitch is being dug up after County’s play-off game against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday.

Work was meant to take place last summer but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the pitch deteriorating over the winter months.

A new hybrid surface is being installed that should last for 10 years rather the three-year lifespan of the current one.

There is a small window for work to be done ahead of the Exiles’ return to action in August, with Michael Flynn’s side likely to have to start the new season on the road.

South Wales Argus: RETURN: The Dragons played Wasps at Cardiff City Stadium in 2010. Pictured is Lloyd Burns.RETURN: The Dragons played Wasps at Cardiff City Stadium in 2010. Pictured is Lloyd Burns.

“We’re extremely grateful to our colleagues at Cardiff City, the Guinness PRO14 and host broadcasters for their support and understanding with this venue change,” said Dragons managing director Mark Jones.

“We delayed work on the pitch for a number of weeks to ensure Newport County could play any play-off fixture here, but it’s now vital to start renovations so it can be completed for the 2021/22 season.

“The pitch is part of a series of projects being carried out to enhance our match day experience ahead of the anticipated return of fans next season.

“The confirmation of the venue change sadly does mean fans will not have seen the Dragons at home this season. We will therefore be in touch with our season members as soon as possible with a full update on plans.”

The Dragons play the Ospreys at Rodney Parade on Sunday but will then host Glasgow in Cardiff for the second time.

South Wales Argus:

Dean Ryan’s men beat the Warriors 26-17 at Principality Stadium in March in the Guinness PRO14 run-in.

That fixture, along with ‘home’ clashes against Ulster and Edinburgh, was moved to the national stadium to give the Rodney Parade pitch a break.

The surface struggled over the winter months after the planned work was delayed and County were given permission to host Bradford City and Leyton Orient at Cardiff City Stadium.

Now the Dragons will follow them to the home of the Bluebirds for their last home fixture of the campaign.

The Dragons have played five times at the ground before, losing three league games and a friendly to the Blues as well as suffering a European loss to Wasps in 2010 when the Parade pitch was frozen.

Ryan & Co have a bye week after playing Glasgow and finish their epic season with a trip to Leinster on Friday, June 11 (kick-off 8.15pm).

Ryan’s men returned to action in August to finish 2019/20 with derbies, lost to Bristol in Europe in September and then kicked off the PRO14 in Dublin on October 3.