Roberts in advanced talks about joining Dragons squad
JAMIE Roberts is in advanced talks to become Dragons’ third big-name signing of the summer.
The Wru-owned outfit has already signed Wales sensation Nick Tompkins on a season-long loan from Champions Cup holders Saracens, fellow international Jonah Holmes from Leicester Tigers and Welsh-qualifed lock Joe Maksymiw from Connacht.
Roberts, who lived in
Cwmbran as a youngster, is set to join them in Gwent.
He’s the latest building block in Dragons’ director of rugby Dean Ryan plans to assemble a dream team at Rodney Parade.
The former Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester boss, who has also bolstered his coaching staff, had originally targeted Australia centre or wing Joe Tomane, who has left Leinster.
But Ryan’s attention switched to
Roberts following the coronavirus pandemic which brought Super Rugby to a halt just weeks after the centre powerhouse had joined South African franchise Stormers.
The 95-times capped Wales star and three-time Test Lion is 33 and has expressed a desire to finish a professional career that began at Cardiff Blues and continued at Racing 92, Harlequins and Bath with a Welsh region.
If the deal with the Dragons is finalised, the former Wales captain will be tasked with mentoring powerful Wales Under-20 centre Aneurin Owen.
They have also announced the signing of loosehead prop Harry Fry from Gloucester. The 19-yearold, who went to Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff, was capped by England at under-18 level. He will join his 21-year-old brother, back-row forward Ben Fry, in Gwent.