Rugby evening headlines as Welsh region have one last shot at avoiding whitewash

Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Monday, May 16.

The Dragons have just one last shot at avoiding going through the entire season without a home win and back row star Ollie Griffiths says they will be pulling out all the stops to give the Rodney Parade faithful that elusive victory.

They came agonisingly close to breaking their duck against Cardiff last Friday night, only for the visitors to take the spoils 19-18 amid a nail-biting ending. Now they have one final opportunity when the Lions from Johannesburg rock up at Newport on Saturday afternoon.

Welsh international Griffiths, a try scorer versus Cardiff, said: “We will be looking to finish strong and on a positive. We’ve got one last game in what has been a difficult season, there is no shying away from that.

“The fans are itching for us to get a home win. I just want to let them know we are doing everything we possibly can. All we can do is try our hardest and fingers crossed we can get the win for them.

“The Dragons fans have stuck by us even though we have had some tough seasons through the years. Their support is appreciated and hopefully we give them plenty to cheer about.”

The Welsh Rugby Union and Gullivers Sports Travel have signed a new long-term multi-million-pound agreement which will run through until 2031.

It’s a continuation of a partnership with the multi-sport tour operator which was first launched in 2014 and then renewed in 2019. In tandem with the new arrangement, Events International has extended its agreement to provide official WRU off-site hospitality for the same period.

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: “We are delighted with the new deal and the opportunity for Welsh rugby to benefit in this vibrant and thriving business