Six home-grown aces sign new deals with Dragons

Oct 16 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 1215 Views • Comments Off on Six home-grown aces sign new deals with Dragons

The brightest young talent in Gwent will continue to shine with Dragons after SIX home-grown players today signed new long-term contracts with the region.

Back row duo Taine Basham and Lennon Greggains, lock Max Williams, centre Connor Edwards, prop Josh Reynolds and scrum half Dan Babos have all agreed new deals.

Dean Ryan, Director of Dragons Rugby, said: “We are naturally delighted that six young players, who have come through our Academy system, have signed and see their futures at the Dragons.

“We have a responsibility to get our environment right to ensure we are not only developing but also retaining our best young talent.

“These contracts are a positive step forward for us and we look forward to watching these players develop and earn further opportunities in the senior set-up.”

Dynamic Wales Under-20s ace Basham, who hails from Talywain, has already made 17 appearances for the region, scoring five tries.

The 19-year-old has scored in the last two Guinness PRO14 games and was named the region’s Young Player-of-the-Year last season.

All-action flanker Greggains, another member of the Wales Under-20s set-up, made his regional debut in September 2017 and has five senior appearances to his name.

Greggains, 20, is currently in rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Towering lock Williams made his regional debut in September 2017 and is a former Wales Under-20 international.

The 21-year-old from Newport has so far made 15 senior appearances, including featuring in all three Guinness PRO14 games this season.

Destructive centre Edwards, from Cwmbran, made his senior bow in November 2017 and has made 10 appearances for Dragons.

Edwards, 22, impressed in the Celtic Cup campaign this season – scoring four tries in four games – as he pushes for a first team call-up.

Powerful prop Reynolds, has five senior appearances to his name, after making his debut in November 2017 against Scarlets.

The highly-rated front row, 20, appeared as a replacement in the away Guinness PRO14 victory over Zebre earlier this month.

Scrum half Babos, scored on his senior debut for the region in the Anglo-Welsh clash with Scarlets in 2017.

The Newport-born back, 19, who spent the summer playing in New Zealand, remains the first player to be born this millennium to play in the Guinness PRO14.