Dragons braced for Calvisano clash

May 15 2007 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

THE Newport Gwent Dragons will face Calvisano in their Heineken Cup play-off at Rodney Parade on Friday.

Calvisano lost out to Arix Viadana in their league's top four play-off, with Viadana and Benetton Treviso claiming automatic Heineken spots.

The Dragons are in the play-off after finishing lowest of the four Welsh regions in this season's Magners League for the second year running, while they’ll be keen to avoid any repeat of last year’s loss to Overmach Parma.

The Dragons have also confirmed they have signed Wayne Evans from the Cardiff Blues.

It means there will be a total clear out of scrum-halves from the Arms Park region next season, with Mike Phillips joining the Ospreys and Ed Fairhurst leaving for the Cornish Pirates.

New Zealander Jason Spice and Richie Rees will be their replacements.