The Dragons Ultimate XV has been confirmed as voted for by our supporters and includes three British & Irish Lions, a Rugby World Cup winner, 10 Wales internationals, two other internationals, record holders and regional favourites that laid their bodies on the line for club and country.
Deciding the ultimate XV feature – in association with doopoll – has been an exciting and enthralling three weeks with thousands of votes from supporters coming together and choosing their favourite Dragons heroes.
Percy Montgomery sealed the final spot at full back with a comprehensive victory earning 58% of the public vote. The South African legend managed to beat off the likes of Wales internationals Hallam Amos, Dan Evans and Kevin Morgan who takes the final place amongst the replacements.
Full back Montgomery, who also played at outside centre, spent two seasons at Rodney Parade from 2003-2005 making 38 appearances scoring 251 points. Montgomery amassed over 100 caps for the South African national team and at the time of his international retirement he held the all-time records for both caps and points scored for the Springboks.
Starting with the front row, the supporters vote has lent to a blend of experience with old heads Rod Snow and Rhys Thomas chosen as the two props and current Wales international Elliott Dee taking his spot at hooker.
Following the front row, Ian Gough and Luke Charteris were the chosen pairing in the boiler house and with 138 Welsh caps between them they were popular choices with the supporters.
The tough decisions for Dragons fans kept coming and next up was deciding the Dragons Ultimate back row. With so many quality options, the back-row competition drew a lot of debate from supporters. Eventually it was narrowed down to two Lions in Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau with Dragons centurion Nic Cudd, who like so many of the other openside contenders, has given so much to the Dragons cause, winning the contest for 7 jersey.
The half backs were up next and another British and Irish Lion was selected at scrum half in the form of Gareth Cooper. He was joined by Dragons all-time record points scorer Jason Tovey who took his place as the Ultimate Dragons fly half.
All-time top try scorer Aled Brew was the first winger selected earning majority of the vote to secure his place on the left wing. Ashley Smith was chosen at inside centre and as captain with his decade long career at Rodney Parade earning deserved recognition from the Rodney Parade faithful, and he was partnered by Welsh international, the late great Matthew J Watkins at outside centre.
The right-wing position was taken by Dragons and Pontypridd legend Gareth Wyatt with South African Percy Montgomery joining him and Brew in the Dragons ultimate back three.
Runners -up in the polls Steve Jones, Brok Harris, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Colin Charvis, Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies and Kevin Morgan add a further 193 international caps to the match day squad.
The ultimate XV squad is now complete and what a great squad the supporters have chosen, full of Dragons legends they will all go down in Dragons folklore as the best to have played at Rodney Parade in the supporters eyes.
Dragons Ultimate XV
1. Rod Snow
2. Elliott Dee
3. Rhys Thomas
4. Ian Gough
5. Luke Charteris
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Nic Cudd
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Gareth Cooper
10. Jason Tovey
11. Aled Brew
12. Ashley Smith (c)
13. Matthew J Watkins
14. Gareth Wyatt
15. Percy Montgomery
Bench
16. Steve Jones 17. Brok Harris 18. Leon Brown 19. Cory Hill
20. Colin Charvis 21. Rhodri Williams 22. Sam Davies 23. Kevin Morgan
