Dragons have done nothing to avoid WRU cut - Jones

United Rugby Championship: Dragons v Cardiff

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Date: Friday, 17 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer: text commentary and match report on BBC Sport website and app.

Former coach Lyn Jones believes the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) would be justified in cutting Dragons if the governing body reduces the number of professional teams.

The WRU wants to halve the number of regions, from four to two, after two dire years for Welsh rugby at domestic and international level.

Jones said Dragons have been Welsh rugby's weakest team during the regional era - that began in 2003 - and are the obvious choice to be discarded.

"What have the Dragons done for the game in Wales over the last 20 years? Almost nothing," the ex-Wales flanker told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"Everything in rugby is business so you have to be worried for them."

He added: "If the union go ahead with their plans [and] there's one team to go, of course it'll be the Dragons because they haven't been successful over the last 20 years."

Dragons fans are set to hold a march in protest against the union's proposals before the league match against Ospreys - another of Jones' former clubs - on 25 October.

Jones' verdict came on the day Dragons were preparing to host arch rivals Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade.

Jones was in charge of Dragons the last time the Newport-based side beat their local rivals - in 2015 - which has been followed by a 19-game losing streak against Cardiff.

"It's 10 years since Dragons won the game, you can't believe it," said Jones.

"Can they win tonight? I'm sure they can, but they have to play much better than we've seen over the last few weeks.

"The weakness for the Dragons is the front row and the second row.

"They have to be physical tonight against the boys from Cardiff as they've got a good front row.

"It's sad that they [Cardiff] are missing Teddy Williams for the season as well."

Former Dragons and Wales lock Andrew Coombs says the timing of Jones' comments was "disappointing".

"Somebody with Lyn's experience knows the importance of derbies," Coombs told S4C.

"He knows how important it is for regional players and coaches to focus just on the game.

"There's enough going on off the pitch in Welsh rugby at the moment so Lyn didn't have to say that before this game.

"The players have to concentrate fully on this game. We need some excitement in Wales at the moment and I'm sure this game will give us that excitement tonight.

"The crowd's out in force, they're loud and I like what I see here tonight.

"I want to see the Dragons come out tonight and keep Lyn Jones quiet."

Former Wales and Dragons centre and current WRU board member Jamie Roberts says the timing was "disrespectful".

"Everyone, players, ex-players, coaches, supporters more than anyone have their opinion on what's going to happen to rugby in Wales during the next month and next few years, and he has his opinion," Roberts told S4C.

"Tonight's about celebrating Welsh rugby, we're hoping for 8,000 fans here tonight and it's something very special.

"So it's not the day for discussing that kind of thing."