Dragons set URC play-off target as Welsh club review raises pressure
Dragons chief executive Rhys Blumberg says the club must turn its retained licence into improved results as the Welsh Rugby Union pursues a proposed three-club model.
The Dragons are targeting a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship and a place in the play-offs after avoiding exclusion under proposed Welsh Rugby Union reforms.
Chief executive Rhys Blumberg said the club’s position had increased pressure to win matches. The WRU is pressing ahead with plans to reduce Wales’ professional men’s clubs from four to three by 2028.
The Dragons and Cardiff have been announced as retaining east and central licences, while Scarlets and Ospreys are competing for a western place. Blumberg said the Dragons continued to support retaining four professional Welsh men’s teams, despite the WRU’s stated direction towards three.
The target represents a significant improvement for a side that finished 14th in the URC in 2025–26 with three wins, four draws and 28 points. The Dragons also reached the Challenge Cup semi-finals, but have finished in the bottom two of the league in each of the previous five seasons.
The Dragons are scheduled to begin their campaign away to Benetton on 25 September, followed by home derbies against Scarlets and Ospreys. Blumberg described a play-off place as an ambitious but realistic objective as the club seeks to build on last season’s improvement.
