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Both the Dragons and Scarlets have announced respective signings this morning.
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Scarlets tight-head prop Nicky Thomas has joined Dragons until the end of January as cover, after Brok Harris was ruled out for four months following shoulder surgery.
Thomas, 23, played for Wales under-20s for two seasons and returned to Wales from Gloucester by signing for the Scarlets last autumn. The front rower has played eight games for the region since his switch to Parc y Scarlets, before going out on loan to Bristol at the start of the current campaign.
Born in Swansea, Thomas also played five times for the Ospreys before graduating through Hartpury College academy to join Gloucester. Although Nicky arrives with immediate effect the Dragons aren’t able to register him for Friday’s crucial European Rugby Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons.
“I would like to thank the Scarlets and Wayne Pivac for allowing Nicky to come to us,” said Dragons Head Coach Bernard Jackman.
“Nicky had been at Bristol over the past few months and he made a big impression on and off the pitch there.
“He played with a lot of our players at age grade level and is one of the best scrummaging tight heads around.
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“Our scrum has been a real strong point for us this season and we want to continue to dominate in this area and I feel Nicky has the attributes to do that.
“He isn’t available for Friday night against Newcastle, but we will be able to call on him for the two big back-to-back Welsh derbies at Rodney Parade over Christmas.”
Brok Harris joins the lengthy Dragons injury list after picking up an injury in the GUINNESS PRO14 clash with Ulster at the start of this month, whilst Ollie Griffiths has also been ruled out for 8 weeks as he faces ankle surgery after leaving the field against Enisei last Friday.
Meanwhile Olly Robinson will return to Cardiff Blues after signing a long-term contract with the region.
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The openside flanker impressed while on loan from Bristol earlier this season, making nine appearances where he won widespread plaudits.
He returned to Bristol last week but has now agreed to re-join Wales’ Capital Region for next season.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland said: “Olly impressed everybody here while on loan from Bristol and we are very happy to bring him on board for next season.
“With so many Wales internationals in our back-row he will give us real strength in depth and we look forward to welcoming him back.”
During his time in the Welsh capital, Robinson picked up two man-of-the-match awards as he provided injury cover for Sam Warburton, Ellis Jenkins and James Botham.
He is thrilled to agree a long-term deal with the Blues and is relishing the competition for places in the back-row.
Robinson said: “I absolutely loved the last two months being with Cardiff Blues. It was brilliant to be playing so much in a great league and with a great bunch of boys so I’m delighted to be offered the chance to come back.
“To compete and learn from the likes of Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins is a really big driver for me and if we are all pushing each other then that’s all the better for both us as players and the club.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments